The Boston Bruins are turning into a different team under Marco Sturm in his second season as head coach. Boston\u2019s front office didn\u2019t give him much autonomy in his debut season. However, some of his beliefs about developing the team\u2019s prospects are starting to seep into the organization, which can only help in the future. <\/p>\n
The Bruins have at times been criticized for how they develop their prospects. When they hired Sturm, known as a great coach for younger players, it felt like a step in the right direction for a team trying to rebuild its prospect pool. <\/p>\n
Some young players squeaked through and played big roles, such as Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov. But his handling of James Hagens after the top prospect signed his entry-level deal drew ire and criticism that the organization\u2019s development plan was no better than past coaching staffs\u2019. <\/p>\n
Marco Sturm Leads Bruins\u2019 Changing Mindset<\/p>\n
Monday night\u2019s lineup in the Bruins\u2019 4-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators isn\u2019t something fans have seen often. The head coach scratched Sean Kuraly and Jonathan Aspirot, setting the stage for Matthew Poitras and Frederic Brunet to make their season debuts. In total, seven players 25 and under dressed, a clear sign the organization is no longer afraid to play the youth. <\/p>\n
Unfortunately, there were some growing pains, as James Hagens had a couple of rough defensive lapses<\/a> that he owned up to post-game. Poitras also took a penalty at four-on-four, which the team killed off, but it felt like a massive strike against the young center early in his first game of the season. <\/p>\n Instead of jumping all over the team\u2019s performance and showing any regret for his lineup decisions, Sturm backed the team\u2019s youth and shifted the onus to his veterans, who also didn\u2019t show up on time. Despite the loss, the head coach\u2019s comments were a breath of fresh air, according to Boston Hockey Now\u2019s Jack Studley. <\/p>\n This morning, Marco Sturm said the NHL is not a development league.\u00a0<\/p>\n Sturm on Hagens:\u2070\u2070\u201cYes, probably had a tough night like anyone else, but I won\u2019t blame him. He\u2019s a kid who needs to learn. But I think our top guys, you know, games like this, they have to be in charge. I\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/FixEpXeSIU<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jack Studley (@jackstudley13) October 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n It is one thing to defend these players post-game, and it is another to stick with the strategy when things get tough. The team\u2019s next skate will tell us whether Sturm believes what he said or whether Aspirot and Kuraly draw back into the lineup. <\/p>\n The head coach might feel pressure to return to a lineup that won two games after Monday\u2019s discouraging defeat. However, if he continues to stick with his youth, despite the growing pains they showed Monday night, it could signal a cultural shift in the Bruins\u2019 organization bigger than a couple of losses in October. <\/p>\n FOLLOW @NateDuffett ON \ud835\udd4f<\/a> | FOLLOW @BOSHockeyNow ON \ud835\udd4f<\/a>