Management Don Sweeney - State of the Bruins - 2/23/25

[GordonHowe]

Don did this

"Finally, the white smoke."

So the trade Marchy group gonna be disappointed.

I love Brad I wish we could finish his career with the Boston Bruins.

But if they can get something for him, and it would be a pretty penny, I would do it without batting an eyelash.

Don’t see why they can’t trade him with the intention of signing him over the summer

Hockey minds much more sophisticated than mine say this rarely happens. Look it up.

 

[GordonHowe]

Im in the trade marchy if he wants to be traded camp. He has earned that.

I don't think Brad wants to be traded, regardless of the train wreck we see night in and night out from this team.

Actually, I think Brad would accept a trade if it helped the Boston Bruins. I believe that.

Show me a GM that differs from that.

Brian Burke, Bill Guerin, Lou Lamarello, off the top of my head.

 

[GordonHowe]

I am not supporting, or firing the guy, but there must be some empathy out there for Sacco, this guy has been put in an awful situation, because of the shitty job others have done.

QFT

 

[GordonHowe]

I agree, but I don't want that idiot building it.He wastes cap steady and has no idea what top end talent really is.( stuck in the 80s mindset) He is in love with bottom 6 plugs all the time.

Yes. Yes he is.

Why, I don't know.

 

[GordonHowe]

Yeah, and he was basically just told “f*** you. You’re not getting any help.”

Well, come on.

Doe anyone believe that at this point, Joe Sacco is, or was intended to be, anything other than the place holder he is?

At least he burned the Montgomery playbook (whatever that was) and simplified matters. Due credit.

Nonetheless, he is clearly not the man for the job. Nor is Jay Leach, and I have nothing against Jay Leach.

I have no idea who the next coach behind the Bruins bench will be.

My hope, doubtless forlorn, is that Don Sweeney and Cam Neely will not make that decision.

 

[GordonHowe]

Relative to what he has proved he can give you -- someone who can play up and down the lineup, has clicked in significant degree with David & Pavel, won't break the bank, and apparently wants to be here -- I don't see the sense in trading the Geek hoping to get a player of equal value.

I would sign him. It ain't broke. Don't fix it.

Brazeau is a different kettle of fish.

Apparently, he is on Sweeney's Ultimatum List of Six.

If Justin's agent does not communicate wants and stipulations forthwith, he is dead to the Professor.

To me, Brazeau brings tangible value the B's otherwise lack.

He's big. He has some touch. He can park his considerable fanny in front of the net and deposit the garbage.

Works for me.

I would think twice about letting these two go. Can you replace what they provide at a cheaper price? I doubt it.

Even so, if I am willing to part with Marchand in service of fetching a handsome return, if they can snare decent draft capital, I would do it.

 

[GordonHowe]

Interesting he won’t verbally commit to any labels about what’s about to happen, but he says out in the open UFAs won’t be signed? Sounds like tipping your hand without trying to take ownership of selling?

Either way, I think it’s good he recognizes this team doesn’t have it this year. Worst case would be he’s delusional and tries to add rentals with guys on LTIR money.

Idk, I’m excited about trying to get a good draft pick. This team absolutely needs to hit on an elite top 6 forward. Center or wing. We just need offense.

I will give them this:

Sweeney & Neely appear to realize that "this is not their year."

They have decided to pack it in and live to fight another day.

Except, they are not the field generals to execute going forward.

Their time in Boston has served its purpose, whatever that was ($), and a clean sweep of coaching and management staff is clearly in order.

I hope Charlie Jacobs has a "Succession" plan.

Because he's going to need one.

 

[GordonHowe]

if somebody offered a 2 for T Fred, he'd already be gone

Not necessarily.

Start unrealistically high and go from there.

Also, perhaps, unlike other seasons, Sweeney may run out the clock to get the best deal(s) possible before the clock strikes three on 7 March.

They are sellers now, and can thus, theoretically, afford to wait until the last minute to strike the most advantageous deal.

It's the buyers, under pressure from owners, media, and unreasonably demanding fan(atic)s that feel the heat.

Sellers, by and large, can afford patience and the long game. They can kick back cool and let the offers roll in, each more enticing than the last.

As many have observed, Sweeney has never really been in this position before.

Almost exclusively, he's been a buyer. Selling in shrewd fashion presents its own challenges,