Jim Montgomery's contract with the Bruins coming to an end, will he return?

Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery is nearing the end of his contract and the question that hockey fans in Massachusetts are asking is if he's earned an extension. But on the most recent episode of the Pucks with Haggs podcast Joe Haggerty and Jimmy Murphy discuss whether or not they feel he deserves to return.

Montgomery to his credit has helped the Bruins finish first and second respectfully in the Atlantic division in consecutive seasons but has never gotten past the second round with his Achilles heel being the Florida Panthers. While the Panthers are an excellent team and the reigning Stanley Cup champions, Montgomery hasn't been able to win the big game when it mattered most.

The answer to the question as to whether he deserves an extension isn't as cut and dry as one would lead you to believe. Sure, he's won more games and exceeded more points in a single season than any Bruins coach before him, but does he even want to come back? Winning the Stanley Cup is the ultimate directive for a head coach to do when he's hired, and he hasn't done that to this point.

It feels as if it's as much Montgomery's decision as much as it is the Bruins to even offer him to come back. Whether the two even feel it's something that needs to be talked about remains to be seen. Should he be extended? Yes. For how long? Likely not more than three years at most.