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

[bobber]

He's swaying back and forth on what to do this year, buy or sell. Here's an idea, take charge don't be so dam indecisive and go one way or the other, although its pretty apparent to most that he should be a seller for the betterment of this franchise heading forward. He needs to have some foresight for a change, and plan for the future. Its time to re-coup some of those prospects and futures, and stop giving them away!

Bruins miss out on some talented junior players by drafting late. Teams build through the draft. Not sure what blue print the Bruins are using to build a championship team but it sure is lacking in a lot of areas. Teams have to do everything correct and have a horse shoe up their butts to win a cup.

 

[22Brad Park]

Sweeny painted himself into a corner by giving away draft picks every year. Can't keep hoping that Old Sea Biscuit will win another round.

Some of the players he hander solid picks away on is laughable too .And of course giving away a 1st round pick because he handed out bad contracts is another kick in the nads.I have absolutely had enough of him.The Bruins though will keep him around till they have multiple playoff misses

 

[Bruin4]

Bruins miss out on some talented junior players by drafting late. Teams build through the draft. Not sure what blue print the Bruins are using to build a championship team but it sure is lacking in a lot of areas. Teams have to do everything correct and have a horse shoe up their butts to win a cup.

I don't blame him at all for going all in during those years the Bruins were a Cup contender, I wouldn't want a GM who didn't do that, but this team has been one step forward two steps back and vice - versa all season, if he was going to make a splash and add he should of done that weeks if not months ago. Today its more than apparent given the health of this team, and the product they put on the ice, coupled that, with an empty cupboard of prospect, its time to sell and recoup some of those assets.

 

[bobber]

I don't blame him at all for going all in during those years the Bruins were a Cup contender, I wouldn't want a GM who didn't do that, but this team has been one step forward two steps back and vice - versa all season, if he was going to make a splash and add he should of done that weeks if not months ago. Today its more than apparent given the health of this team, and the product they put on the ice, coupled that, with an empty cupboard of prospect, its time to sell and recoup some of those assets.

I agree that any GM worth his salt should do what ever he can to push a team over the top in a contender year. There is no real prototype out there that a franchise can use to win the cup. It's a hell of a grind and the team has to be solid from the top down. They also have to have some top semi pro players that can step in for injuries and have an impact. This is where having your 1st and 2nd round draft picks come in. With only 7 rounds and most of the top players gone after the first two a franchise can spin it's wheels.

 

[Therewolf31]

He's swaying back and forth on what to do this year, buy or sell. Here's an idea, take charge don't be so dam indecisive and go one way or the other, although its pretty apparent to most that he should be a seller for the betterment of this franchise heading forward. He needs to have some foresight for a change, and plan for the future. Its time to re-coup some of those prospects and futures, and stop giving them away!

Maybe, just maybe, teams don't rate B's assets highly. I mean, I've watched them all year and can't imagine teams giving up much for the likes of Fredrick or Brazeau.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

1] What you said.

2] I barely watch the games, and I work at the Pro Shop with a huge HD TV behind the registers.

I have viewed very little of the 2024-2025 Boston Bruins. About 20 minutes total each game, if that.

Why would I waste my time? I don't mean to be unkind, but they are a bad team and I can't muster the enthusiasm (or loyalty) to bother. They are dysfunctional, consistently inconsistent, terrible statistically in almost every category that matters, and boring to watch.

They are very difficult to like or even care about.

I'm a masochist.

But I'm not *that* much of a masochist.

NYI were 7 points out of PO on Feb 26 last year. Try are 7 points out now with 1 game in hand on mist teams in front of them. Its basically same team as last year. Do you think Lamorello and players think they can't do it again?

I personally think they can't make it but they did it last year.

 

[Bruin4]

Maybe, just maybe, teams don't rate B's assets highly. I mean, I've watched them all year and can't imagine teams giving up much for the likes of Fredrick or Brazeau.

No doubt especially with the UFA, that why Sweeney may have to move a Coyle and/or Carlo even possibly a Geekie and may have to move Marchand. But couldn’t agree more their current group of UFA isn’t going to bring in much of a return, unless there’s a GM or two out there who's completely enamored with TFed.

 

[Therewolf31]

No doubt especially with the UFA, that why Sweeney may have to move a Coyle and/or Carlo even possibly a Geekie and may have to move Marchand. But couldn’t agree more their current group of UFA isn’t going to bring in much of a return, unless there’s a GM or two out there who's completely enamored with TFed.

I wasn't even thinking of Coyle or Carlo so they would definitely bring some picks or prospects back. Who could they bring up from the baby B's on D?

 

[Bruin4]

I wasn't even thinking of Coyle or Carlo so they would definitely bring some picks or prospects back. Who could they bring up from the baby B's on D?

I think their hurting there, and thats maybe what keeps Carlo in Boston, still surprised they didn’t claim Valimaki when the yotes placed him on waivers

 

[yazmybaby]

If I am DS you have to trade JB and TF, if they are not resigning with us.
I would look at adding someone like Carlo and Coyle with the one of the above and try to improve our roster.
Possible trades

TF and Carlo for Jared McCann and we get the choice of flipping first round picks either this year or next year.
Brazeau for Mangiapane
Coyle for Nick Roy and Alexander Holtz

 

[Babajingo]

I keep hearing that they need to re-tool, They did it before in 2015, they can do it again.
Ummmmm. in 2015 they had Chara, Bergy, Krecj, Rask, Marchand, Pasta as their core.
Ummmmm. in 2025 they have Pasta and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz as their core.

Good luck with the re-tool. Welcome to the world of mediocrity for the next decade.

 

[GordonHowe]

The fanbase is clearly split.

For me, things feel a bit too comfortable for a club that’s seemingly on the wrong side of the bell curve.

I’d like the heat turned up, please.

And I personally couldn’t care less whether or not certain plays was “want” to stay.

You do what’s best for the organization in terms of rebuilding it, with the goal of winning the Cup again as soon as humanly possible.

Otherwise, what are we doing here? It’s the Dan Duquette Red Sox.

Hang a banner for most regular season wins over the past 15 seasons.

Shades of "Adams Division Champions" at the old Garden under Sinden. Kid you not.

 

[GordonHowe]

Do you honestly think that Jacobs will allow him to sell? I think it’s more likely than not they send a 2nd or 3rd out for some marginal upgrades or stand pat. Personally I’d love it if they sold and fired Sweeney so someone else is drafting for this team.

I think the old man still has the ultimate say, but remember, he has bequeathed his businesses to his children.

Charlie is more or less running the Boston Bruins as an owner now.

I think he sees things a bit differently than his father, though it wouldn't surprise if the bottom line remains the bottom line.

Maybe I'm a fool, but at least I think he cares.

 

[mar2kbos]

They became what I thought they would. Welcome to Detroit at the end of their glory years. We are in the stage where we have aging Zetterberg, one younger star Larkin, and at least one decent defender in Ericsson. Thats Marchand, Pasta and MacVoy(though Mac better). And a cupboard less prospect pool. I have already steeled myself for the lean years. They are coming.

 

[BMC]

Shades of "Adams Division Champions" at the old Garden under Sinden. Kid you not.

Quoted for truth.

 

[22Brad Park]

Maybe, just maybe, teams don't rate B's assets highly. I mean, I've watched them all year and can't imagine teams giving up much for the likes of Fredrick or Brazeau.

That will be Sweeney talking after deadline Get out jail free card, based off roster he assembled. Ludicrous but true !

 

[Blitzkrug]

Maybe, just maybe, teams don't rate B's assets highly. I mean, I've watched them all year and can't imagine teams giving up much for the likes of Fredrick or Brazeau.

The only assets they would value highly is the ones the team isn't even considering trading.

That being said, if a GM wants to get really drunk and start to see Chara rather than Zadorov and make a trade for him, i'm not opposed.

 

[UncleRico]

I don't blame him at all for going all in during those years the Bruins were a Cup contender, I wouldn't want a GM who didn't do that, but this team has been one step forward two steps back and vice - versa all season, if he was going to make a splash and add he should of done that weeks if not months ago. Today its more than apparent given the health of this team, and the product they put on the ice, coupled that, with an empty cupboard of prospect, its time to sell and recoup some of those assets.

You reap what you sow however. If you are going to trade away two years of first and second round picks and use $5mil of future cap space then you better win the cup.

Also you certainly shouldn’t spend it on all rentals.

It’s Sweeneys fault the team is in its current state and they have absolutely nothing to show for it.

 

[Bruin4]

You reap what you sow however. If you are going to trade away two years of first and second round picks and use $5mil of future cap space then you better win the cup.

Also you certainly shouldn’t spend it on all rentals.

It’s Sweeneys fault the team is in its current state and they have absolutely nothing to show for it.

The Life of a GM. Sweeney has tried, but failed to bring a Cup back to Boston. I give him many Kudos for that, but he's failed miserably in blding a solid long term supporting cast around this team from which he began with, but he did make some significant short term adds and also made some terrible decisions along the way.

In the end your correct, "you reap what you sow", and unfortunately the inevitable has happen. Cupboards are bare, and the product on the ice is subpar.

Now its up to the Jacobs on whether or not they want the same conductor to re-tool re-build this franchise. When as a whole, its worse off today, from when he began his tenure as the Bruins GM. Will they want him spending freely on FA? An area which he's failed severely at in the past, and will they want him blding for the future? An area which will be new territory for him.

IMo I think they have faith and trust in him in doing a proper re-tool, and bringing this team back to legitimate Cup-contenders. I hope their right, because I'm not a Sweeney fan,but I certainly want the Bruins to win some Cups!

 

[EverettMike]

They have the second worst goal differential in the conference.

Not the division the conference. And they have the fifth worstgoal differential in the entire league.

ANY talk about buying and/or not selling is ludicrous.

 

[Gordoff]

I loved it when Don Sweeney became the GM of the Boston Bruins after Chia because "Chia lost his fastball."
Then I (lost my happiness of DS as the GM), started knocking Sweeney since that infamous 2015 draft.
For the most part I've been knocking him, and he's proven me somewhat wrong
since umm he's/they've made the playoffs solidly, a Presidents Trophy and a trip to the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs.
He built a JUGGERNAUT of a team in 2022-'23. Should've won a Cup.
(There's a poem about should-haves, but I digress).
MONTGOMERY YOU SOB!
For years I've said "they need a knuckle dragger on defense" and then they got
one. After last years FA and draft I told my grandson that they were "going to punch their way through other teams, nobody is going to mess with the Boston Bruins." I became a Sweeneely disciple.
I said that Sweeney finally has gotten it.

In the last few months my grandson threw it up to my face
"they aren't smart, they aren't tough, they can't score, I thought you said....."
Now I realize that I know nothing about the Bruins, the game etc etc.
I can barely put my shoes on the correct (LR) feet.
I'm a mess lol.
That's all that I've got!

 

[22Brad Park]

I loved it when Don Sweeney became the GM of the Boston Bruins after Chia because "Chia lost his fastball."
Then I (lost my happiness of DS as the GM), started knocking Sweeney since that infamous 2015 draft.
For the most part I've been knocking him, and he's proven me somewhat wrong
since umm he's/they've made the playoffs solidly, a Presidents Trophy and a trip to the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs.
He built a JUGGERNAUT of a team in 2022-'23. Should've won a Cup.
(There's a poem about should-haves, but I digress).
MONTGOMERY YOU SOB!
For years I've said "they need a knuckle dragger on defense" and then they got
one. After last years FA and draft I told my grandson that they were "going to punch their way through other teams, nobody is going to mess with the Boston Bruins." I became a Sweeneely disciple.
I said that Sweeney finally has gotten it.

In the last few months my grandson threw it up to my face
"they aren't smart, they aren't tough, they can't score, I thought you said....."
Now I realize that I know nothing about the Bruins, the game etc etc.
I can barely put my shoes on the correct (LR) feet.
I'm a mess lol.
That's all that I've got!

This is how most viewed it I think .I really don't think Sweeney Neely combo can fix this without years of heartache but the Bruins brass will probably let him have at it .I am worried about teams future under these guys.I sure hope they start making better decisions then lately.