Management Don Sweeney V

[JAD]

Saying he's in trouble is just (some posters) wishful thinking.
Playoffs or not - he's not going anywhere for the foreseeable future.
I like Sweeney and think ownership is fully behind him. I don't think he has major pressure on him from above. He will (and should) have another year and a half at least before there's any serious possibility of him getting fired.
I like Sweeney.

p.s. the one thing I find disingenuous in regards to assessing Sweeney so far is the accolades he's gotten for getting them out of cap trouble. I'd have been much more impressed with that feat if the team was able to make the playoffs last year. If you're going to trade away two 'core' pieces in Lucic and Hamilton for nothing but future's - sure you're going to get cap room. But that's all it is, and was last year, cap room.
I find it strange that Chia got raked over the coals for trading Boychuk for futures and cap room and missing the playoffs while Sweeney gets praised for doing the exact same thing with two more valuable players.

I think PC's blunder was the timing of the trade more so than just acquiring futures.
Also, and I am just guessing here, but if Jones was willing to sign a contract to be a backup for a few years - that might have been enough to get Boston into the playoffs. Unfortunately, he didn't want to be a backup. Sweeney did get a very good return on Jones; and no one expected San Jose to go on the run they did.
Overall the Lucci trade did bring back bodies (3 by overall count) plus futures.
Hamilton, maybe could have been shopped, but with all the unknown concerning his wanting out and his agent, it is what it is - 3 futures and good ones developing already in the Bruins system. If Sweeney waited until after the draft and received picks they would be a year later in development.

 

[Duguay]

Wait??? I just got a few texts saying I am the jackass

Duguay is calling me the jackass

And Spooner street (thanks Lou I can't usually read him or her) said elite jackass



You guys are mean

Dan, sorry for the jackass confusion.

I was speaking generally, so whomever said I was being 'political' wins the donut

 

[Duguay]

I think PC's blunder was the timing of the trade more so than just acquiring futures.
Also, and I am just guessing here, but if Jones was willing to sign a contract to be a backup for a few years - that might have been enough to get Boston into the playoffs. Unfortunately, he didn't want to be a backup. Sweeney did get a very good return on Jones; and no one expected San Jose to go on the run they did.
Overall the Lucci trade did bring back bodies (3 by overall count) plus futures.
Hamilton, maybe could have been shopped, but with all the unknown concerning his wanting out and his agent, it is what it is - 3 futures and good ones developing already in the Bruins system. If Sweeney waited until after the draft and received picks they would be a year later in development.

Maybe. But you can't tell me Sweeney's feet aren't sweating. He's pretty much alluded to the fact that his job is on the line when grilled about CJ. Yes, he may have been speaking generally, or to take the yoke on....but I am afraid that you don't get many kudo's in Pro Sports for 'cap relief.' I mean any old Consultant or Accountant can do that. The challenge is, can he do it and still reach his goals.
Clearly, the Owner of the Team said the goal this year, was to make the Playoffs.

Fair or not (and I think any GM deserves 3 years), his job is on the line.

 

[DKH]

Dan, sorry for the jackass confusion.

I was speaking generally, so whomever said I was being 'political' wins the donut

Don't be sorry I am at times

You're good.

I'm sure there is a lot of pressure on these 3

Ideally they make playoffs and win a round or so

Claude drives me nuts with the Colin Miller stuff but i he's a top coach

Hopefully it works out best for all

 

[b in vancouver]

I actually think this team could do some damage in the playoffs. It's not just optimism. I think the tougher challenge is getting into the playoffs than doing something in them (like last year)

Three reasons are that
Boston's a great possession team and that wears down the opposition over a series.
The offence is coming together to mirror what should be expected from their possession and control of the play.
No back-ups touch the ice in the playoffs.

We'll see over the next month or so but - this isn't a team that others are swooning over to get in the first round.

 

[Duguay]

Don't be sorry I am at times

You're good.

I'm sure there is a lot of pressure on these 3

Ideally they make playoffs and win a round or so

Claude drives me nuts with the Colin Miller stuff but i he's a top coach

Hopefully it works out best for all

Trust me, and believe me when I say this; I am always, always happier when you are right.

Cos when you're right (being that you are less pragmatic and generally more optimistic than mwa) that can only mean good things for the Boston Bruins.

Then we're both happy. Well, you are really really happy; and I am satisfied.

Generally and mathematically, I have found that over the years, you are half right and I am half wrong.

Cheers & Go Pats Go

 

[JAD]

Maybe. But you can't tell me Sweeney's feet aren't sweating. He's pretty much alluded to the fact that his job is on the line when grilled about CJ. Yes, he may have been speaking generally, or to take the yoke on....but I am afraid that you don't get many kudo's in Pro Sports for 'cap relief.' I mean any old Consultant or Accountant can do that. The challenge is, can he do it and still reach his goals.
Clearly, the Owner of the Team said the goal this year, was to make the Playoffs.

Fair or not (and I think any GM deserves 3 years), his job is on the line.

For what it is worth ... I think any owner would say they want/expect their team to make the playoffs. For Boston if I was the owner I would expect it and I would expect them to do well. (Which is what JJ said when asked by the media). No surprise.
I think he's smart enough to know that things don't always workout as you hope. I also think he realizes adding pieces that may be missing is not always possible. Plus, I further think he believes the long term stability of the franchise will come through the farm system, be it prospects developing or used as trade chips; as well as, allowing cost control and flexibility for years to come.

 

[ThomasJ13]

For what it is worth ... I think any owner would say they want/expect their team to make the playoffs. For Boston if I was the owner I would expect it and I would expect them to do well. (Which is what JJ said when asked by the media). No surprise.
I think he's smart enough to know that things don't always workout as you hope. I also think he realizes adding pieces that may be missing is not always possible. Plus, I further think he believes the long term stability of the franchise will come through the farm system, be it prospects developing or used as trade chips; as well as, allowing cost control and flexibility for years to come.

No kidding. That Jacobs playoff comment gets way, way too much play by some people. Of course he's going to say that. It's nothing but GM speak 101 for a team that narrowly missed the playoffs the past year. Sweeney's job is (rightfully) going to be evaluated after 5 years or so, regardless of whether they make the playoffs this year or not. The only reason I wish Jacobs hadn't made that stupid, throw-away PR comment is that too many people use it to legitimize a premature verdict on Sweeney.

 

[JOKER 192]

Please no half assed measures, either go big or go home, you hear me Don? Either big or go home. We don't need another Liles or Stempniak type.

 

[ap3lovr]

Please no half assed measures, either go big or go home, you hear me Don? Either big or go home. We don't need another Liles or Stempniak type.

At this point I would say go home. No need to add at the deadline. If he can make a long term deal, go for it. Otherwise Don should at this point, waive Hayes and take a go on a 100 day cruise.

 

[remer]

Donny should be smart and trade off the assets he has for future prospects or draft picks. He needs to decide who stays as the core players. He has a bunch of 4th, 5th and 6th defenseman that playoff teams might pay a price for depth. McQuaid, Miller, Morrow, and Liles. Up front he could move Beleskey, Hayes, Moore, Schaller, Acciari, Czarnick, or Nash.
Get rid of the players that are not part of the future for next year. Build up some draft picks so that he has some power June draft day.

 

[Duguay]

No kidding. That Jacobs playoff comment gets way, way too much play by some people. Of course he's going to say that. It's nothing but GM speak 101 for a team that narrowly missed the playoffs the past year. Sweeney's job is (rightfully) going to be evaluated after 5 years or so, regardless of whether they make the playoffs this year or not. The only reason I wish Jacobs hadn't made that stupid, throw-away PR comment is that too many people use it to legitimize a premature verdict on Sweeney.

use it? Of course people *use it* -- as evidence and fact will always trump conjecture.

You can rationalize that comment all you want, but it doesn't make the person that says "this is what the Owner actually said" wrong.

You'd be using conjecture while the other uses fact visa vis a quote.

I'll tell you this, any Original 6 owner who has a team that misses the Playoffs 3 years in a row (should they miss), well, you have to do something.

Some may call that impatient, but I will tell you this; the Sens have missed the Playoffs 4 times since I have lived in this market. Every losing year was met with action. And every action brought results as in a Playoff appearance.

And btw, all of those appearances except one, moved beyond 1 round of the Playoffs.

This means the fans look at the Ownership as men of action.

Sweeney's feat are sweating.

And as I have stated, it's unfair when a GM doesn't get 3 years. His circumstances and timing may cost him what is fair.

I think Don Sweeney needs to make a move that is bold, and a move that will work, and a move that will save his job.

A Nathan Horton, a Rick Middleton, a Cam Neely, a Jerome Iginla type move.

This is my take anyway.

 

[chizzler]

Donny should be smart and trade off the assets he has for future prospects or draft picks. He needs to decide who stays as the core players. He has a bunch of 4th, 5th and 6th defenseman that playoff teams might pay a price for depth. McQuaid, Miller, Morrow, and Liles. Up front he could move Beleskey, Hayes, Moore, Schaller, Acciari, Czarnick, or Nash.
Get rid of the players that are not part of the future for next year. Build up some draft picks so that he has some power June draft day.

Think about it. You can put all those guys together and still not bring back a top nine. You think other teams want your bottom line players. You then have to replace them with other low salary guys. Rob Peter to pay Paul type deals. I think is is trying to do what you say. So aren't 30 other GMs.

 

[ReggieMoto]

I'll tell you this, any Original 6 owner who has a team that misses the Playoffs 3 years in a row (should they miss), well, you have to do something.

You mean like shoot themselves in the foot? That kind of something? Or something a little more cerebral and business-like?

Hopefully doing something means evaluating where you were prior to this season from a players-on-hand perspective, players-in-the-wings perspective, and where the roster is in relation to the current season, performance at the beginning of the season, performance at the mid-point in the season, determine why the disparity (if any and we know there is), and then make a decision about what must be done.

I'd personally be good with that kind of "do something" as opposed to the LF kind of "do something".

 

[Sharp Shooting Neely]

I actually think this team could do some damage in the playoffs. It's not just optimism. I think the tougher challenge is getting into the playoffs than doing something in them (like last year)

Three reasons are that
Boston's a great possession team and that wears down the opposition over a series.
The offence is coming together to mirror what should be expected from their possession and control of the play.
No back-ups touch the ice in the playoffs.

We'll see over the next month or so but - this isn't a team that others are swooning over to get in the first round.

Agree entirely with you. Chances of being successful with solid defence allows a team to win low scoring tight playoff defensive type games. Having to rely on a high performance offence that suddenly can go cold when neutralized by sound defence in a PO situation is tougher. Can and often is significantly more difficult to win that way in the playoffs. Getting in is the crucial part. Rounding into shape finally to improve those chances considerably. A good run is required at some point.

 

[PlayMakers]

You mean like shoot themselves in the foot? That kind of something? Or something a little more cerebral and business-like?

I agree.

No offense, Duguay, but I wouldn't say Ottawa is better off today for having a revolving door of coaches and management over the last 6 years. They've won 2 playoff rounds in 6 years, which means they either DNQ'd or lost in the first round 4 times. They might make the playoffs this year but I don't think of them as a team on the rise like TML or BUF and I don't think of them as a former top-tier team going through a rebuild like BOS.

Fwiw, I'm not all-in on the Sweeney love affair either. I didn't like his early moves, and I think a lot of the things he's getting credit for now were at least partly unintentional. He seems to have a real hard time making a trade that can help in the here and now. I think his motives are misunderstood by even his biggest supporters and I think he and Cam are **** poor communicators of their vision and plan for this team.

BUT, there's also enough good there that I think it's worth waiting to see where this leads. I give him a lot of credit for not throwing the coach under the bus last season when it would have completely distracted and deflected the blame from him and the job he's done. I like that he hasn't gone crazy in free agency, drawing the line and sticking to it on certain players. I like that he let Eriksson go, a player who's already worn out his welcome in VAN. I like that he has a plan to manage the cap. And I like that he places a premium on drafting and developing. Honestly, if you can do that last thing right the rest is window dressing.

I would agree that he has to make the playoffs to keep his job. I would also agree that they need one more piece to get over the hump and secure a playoff spot. But I'm not sure Sweeney is capable of that kind of deal, and I'm not sure I'm convinced that new player has to be a game changer. It would be nice, but they went from the 2nd worst offense in the league when Vatrano was out to 9th in the league in just the 12 games they've had Vatrano back. Not all of that is Frankie V, Bergeron has finally started to come around as well, and I think if they added one more piece to get that 3rd line going they'd finally have the kind of team they want. A team that's 4 lines deep, coming at you with a combination of speed through the neutral zone, heavy offensive zone play, and activated offensive defensemen on every pair.

Can he get that final piece? I think he can, he added Liles/Stempniak last year and while I think most want to see a big name/major addition come in, I expect it's going to be someone like Hanzal or Dan Boyle to center the 3rd line who's capable of 20 goals or 40 points. That seems more in his wheel house and he'll still be able to protect the futures he wants to protect.

 

[BruinDust]

I agree.

No offense, Duguay, but I wouldn't say Ottawa is better off today for having a revolving door of coaches and management over the last 6 years. They've won 2 playoff rounds in 6 years, which means they either DNQ'd or lost in the first round 4 times. They might make the playoffs this year but I don't think of them as a team on the rise like TML or BUF and I don't think of them as a former top-tier team going through a rebuild like BOS.

Fwiw, I'm not all-in on the Sweeney love affair either. I didn't like his early moves, and I think a lot of the things he's getting credit for now were at least partly unintentional. He seems to have a real hard time making a trade that can help in the here and now. I think his motives are misunderstood by even his biggest supporters and I think he and Cam are **** poor communicators of their vision and plan for this team.

BUT, there's also enough good there that I think it's worth waiting to see where this leads. I give him a lot of credit for not throwing the coach under the bus last season when it would have completely distracted and deflected the blame from him and the job he's done. I like that he hasn't gone crazy in free agency, drawing the line and sticking to it on certain players. I like that he let Eriksson go, a player who's already worn out his welcome in VAN. I like that he has a plan to manage the cap. And I like that he places a premium on drafting and developing. Honestly, if you can do that last thing right the rest is window dressing.

I would agree that he has to make the playoffs to keep his job. I would also agree that they need one more piece to get over the hump and secure a playoff spot. But I'm not sure Sweeney is capable of that kind of deal, and I'm not sure I'm convinced that new player has to be a game changer. It would be nice, but they went from the 2nd worst offense in the league when Vatrano was out to 9th in the league in just the 12 games they've had Vatrano back. Not all of that is Frankie V, Bergeron has finally started to come around as well, and I think if they added one more piece to get that 3rd line going they'd finally have the kind of team they want. A team that's 4 lines deep, coming at you with a combination of speed through the neutral zone, heavy offensive zone play, and activated offensive defensemen on every pair.

Can he get that final piece? I think he can, he added Liles/Stempniak last year and while I think most want to see a big name/major addition come in, I expect it's going to be someone like Hanzal or Dan Boyle to center the 3rd line who's capable of 20 goals or 40 points. That seems more in his wheel house and he'll still be able to protect the futures he wants to protect.

I'd be content with Hanzal for the right price. If Backes is going to be a RW for now, let's solidify the center ice position with a big, two-way center-man. Considering the options right now without Backes being considered, are Spooner (not good enough on face-offs or in his own end), Nash (not good enough on offensive), and Czarnik (let's call him the happy middle ground), I think the forward group would fall into place better with Hanzal, possibly even allow Czarnik to move up to RW on a line with Spooner and Hanzal, pushing Nash back to the 4th line.

Problem as I see it, the competition for Hanzal (and other comparable Stempniak/Liles rentals) I think will be fierce. Maybe not 1st round pick fierce, but fierce none-the-less as their won't be many sellers, at all.

 

[chizzler]

No kidding. That Jacobs playoff comment gets way, way too much play by some people. Of course he's going to say that. It's nothing but GM speak 101 for a team that narrowly missed the playoffs the past year. Sweeney's job is (rightfully) going to be evaluated after 5 years or so, regardless of whether they make the playoffs this year or not. The only reason I wish Jacobs hadn't made that stupid, throw-away PR comment is that too many people use it to legitimize a premature verdict on Sweeney.

It's funny how people take everything word for word. Would they rather he tell them we're not going for it this year? Nobody ever tells the truth. GM never tell the truth. Coaches never do as well. It can be said for all sports. This day and age of Twitter makes people dumb.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

I agree.

No offense, Duguay, but I wouldn't say Ottawa is better off today for having a revolving door of coaches and management over the last 6 years. They've won 2 playoff rounds in 6 years, which means they either DNQ'd or lost in the first round 4 times. They might make the playoffs this year but I don't think of them as a team on the rise like TML or BUF and I don't think of them as a former top-tier team going through a rebuild like BOS.

Fwiw, I'm not all-in on the Sweeney love affair either. I didn't like his early moves, and I think a lot of the things he's getting credit for now were at least partly unintentional. He seems to have a real hard time making a trade that can help in the here and now. I think his motives are misunderstood by even his biggest supporters and I think he and Cam are **** poor communicators of their vision and plan for this team.

BUT, there's also enough good there that I think it's worth waiting to see where this leads. I give him a lot of credit for not throwing the coach under the bus last season when it would have completely distracted and deflected the blame from him and the job he's done. I like that he hasn't gone crazy in free agency, drawing the line and sticking to it on certain players. I like that he let Eriksson go, a player who's already worn out his welcome in VAN. I like that he has a plan to manage the cap. And I like that he places a premium on drafting and developing. Honestly, if you can do that last thing right the rest is window dressing.

I would agree that he has to make the playoffs to keep his job. I would also agree that they need one more piece to get over the hump and secure a playoff spot. But I'm not sure Sweeney is capable of that kind of deal, and I'm not sure I'm convinced that new player has to be a game changer. It would be nice, but they went from the 2nd worst offense in the league when Vatrano was out to 9th in the league in just the 12 games they've had Vatrano back. Not all of that is Frankie V, Bergeron has finally started to come around as well, and I think if they added one more piece to get that 3rd line going they'd finally have the kind of team they want. A team that's 4 lines deep, coming at you with a combination of speed through the neutral zone, heavy offensive zone play, and activated offensive defensemen on every pair.

Can he get that final piece? I think he can, he added Liles/Stempniak last year and while I think most want to see a big name/major addition come in, I expect it's going to be someone like Hanzal or Dan Boyle to center the 3rd line who's capable of 20 goals or 40 points. That seems more in his wheel house and he'll still be able to protect the futures he wants to protect.

Tipping points, Bill. It's all tipping points.

Vatrano gave them another threat to score. The tipping point for the offense.

Chara got a partner. The tipping point for the defense.

Not sure they're built to handle injuries... That's where an addition to the forward ranks gives the wiggle room. But that's all it takes.

 

[JAD]

use it? Of course people *use it* -- as evidence and fact will always trump conjecture.

You can rationalize that comment all you want, but it doesn't make the person that says "this is what the Owner actually said" wrong.

You'd be using conjecture while the other uses fact visa vis a quote.

I'll tell you this, any Original 6 owner who has a team that misses the Playoffs 3 years in a row (should they miss), well, you have to do something.

Some may call that impatient, but I will tell you this; the Sens have missed the Playoffs 4 times since I have lived in this market. Every losing year was met with action. And every action brought results as in a Playoff appearance.

And btw, all of those appearances except one, moved beyond 1 round of the Playoffs.

This means the fans look at the Ownership as men of action.

Sweeney's feat are sweating.

And as I have stated, it's unfair when a GM doesn't get 3 years. His circumstances and timing may cost him what is fair.

I think Don Sweeney needs to make a move that is bold, and a move that will work, and a move that will save his job.

A Nathan Horton, a Rick Middleton, a Cam Neely, a Jerome Iginla type move.

This is my take anyway.

This argument is flawed.

Action was taken when the Bruins missed the playoffs and PC was removed.
The last 18 months have brought changes to the Bruins in much debated trades and signings, cap space, and a replenished farm system.
The team has only missed the playoffs once under Sweeney and only by one point.
They have not as of yet missed the playoffs this year.
By all appearances Sweeney's job is safe for at least another 18 - 36 months.

Some owners are reactionary and have to have their team in the playoffs or they lose money; Jacob's is not that way nor is he reliant upon the Bruins 'having' to make the playoffs to stay in the black. He wants the team to be in the playoffs and expects they do well. That is what the players are being paid to do - make the playoffs; and in so doing, it adds pennies to Jacob's coffers.

When PC first came to Boston his first year the team also missed the playoffs - looking real bad. Prior to his first year the Bruins also did not qualify, lost 3 years straight in the quarterfinals and 2 more DNQ the years leading up to PC.

I think Sweeney will have time to build the team he envisions, the owner is not reactionary like many fans are.

Fans many want a big in season trade but those are very rare. Teams these days because of the cap are almost always built during the off-season.

This team, on paper, is good enough to make the playoffs, now they just have to play like it.

I personally believe that once in the playoffs this team will perform better than in the regular season ... they just need to get there.

 

[Duguay]

I agree.

No offense, Duguay, but I wouldn't say Ottawa is better off today for having a revolving door of coaches and management over the last 6 years. They've won 2 playoff rounds in 6 years, which means they either DNQ'd or lost in the first round 4 times. They might make the playoffs this year but I don't think of them as a team on the rise like TML or BUF and I don't think of them as a former top-tier team going through a rebuild like BOS.

Fwiw, I'm not all-in on the Sweeney love affair either. I didn't like his early moves, and I think a lot of the things he's getting credit for now were at least partly unintentional. He seems to have a real hard time making a trade that can help in the here and now. I think his motives are misunderstood by even his biggest supporters and I think he and Cam are **** poor communicators of their vision and plan for this team.

BUT, there's also enough good there that I think it's worth waiting to see where this leads. I give him a lot of credit for not throwing the coach under the bus last season when it would have completely distracted and deflected the blame from him and the job he's done. I like that he hasn't gone crazy in free agency, drawing the line and sticking to it on certain players. I like that he let Eriksson go, a player who's already worn out his welcome in VAN. I like that he has a plan to manage the cap. And I like that he places a premium on drafting and developing. Honestly, if you can do that last thing right the rest is window dressing.

I would agree that he has to make the playoffs to keep his job. I would also agree that they need one more piece to get over the hump and secure a playoff spot. But I'm not sure Sweeney is capable of that kind of deal, and I'm not sure I'm convinced that new player has to be a game changer. It would be nice, but they went from the 2nd worst offense in the league when Vatrano was out to 9th in the league in just the 12 games they've had Vatrano back. Not all of that is Frankie V, Bergeron has finally started to come around as well, and I think if they added one more piece to get that 3rd line going they'd finally have the kind of team they want. A team that's 4 lines deep, coming at you with a combination of speed through the neutral zone, heavy offensive zone play, and activated offensive defensemen on every pair.

Can he get that final piece? I think he can, he added Liles/Stempniak last year and while I think most want to see a big name/major addition come in, I expect it's going to be someone like Hanzal or Dan Boyle to center the 3rd line who's capable of 20 goals or 40 points. That seems more in his wheel house and he'll still be able to protect the futures he wants to protect.

No offense taken PM, just pointing out the nature of hockey in relation to pro-activity. Are the Sens better for it? Well, if they are it is in an Erik Karlsson kind of better.

Not unlike the Bourque days in Boston.

And yes, both through the Draft.

If the Sens had their #1 Goalie in, I would pick them ahead of Boston unfortunately. I see them as a slightly better team, and their future with Colin White, Curtis Lazar, Cody Ceci and Chabot looks pretty good to me. So present day and moving forward, we'll have to battle them one way or another.

I guess point being, we need an Erik Karlsson. I get to watch the guy night after night, and mark my words, he is outstanding. He's a game changer. I guess we wait for the kid (Charlie Boy) and hope he can push Boston's program into a Top 10 program.

After getting over the fact I thought he looked lazy, I sure got to like him well enough in the WJC and I do concur with the Doughty comparison.

Otherwise sounds like we are like-minded in regards to the plans we'd like to see actualize.

I still think DS should make a bold stroke. One of the teams that is falling off may unload a future star for some futures to streamline a budget. I think we can offer up some prospects (uncertainty) for a young roster player.

If we don't, other teams will. Not saying there isn't a limit, but we have many players here also who -- one way or another-- shouldn't be a part of the long term plan.

Some of them older, some of them not fitting in.

This bold stroke could also save Sweeney's job. And trust me, I am not looking for a bold Mike O'Connell desperation belly flop either, haha

 

[Duguay]

This argument is flawed.

Action was taken when the Bruins missed the playoffs and PC was removed.
The last 18 months have brought changes to the Bruins in much debated trades and signings, cap space, and a replenished farm system.
The team has only missed the playoffs once under Sweeney and only by one point.
They have not as of yet missed the playoffs this year.
By all appearances Sweeney's job is safe for at least another 18 - 36 months.

Some owners are reactionary and have to have their team in the playoffs or they lose money; Jacob's is not that way nor is he reliant upon the Bruins 'having' to make the playoffs to stay in the black. He wants the team to be in the playoffs and expects they do well. That is what the players are being paid to do - make the playoffs; and in so doing, it adds pennies to Jacob's coffers.

When PC first came to Boston his first year the team also missed the playoffs - looking real bad. Prior to his first year the Bruins also did not qualify, lost 3 years straight in the quarterfinals and 2 more DNQ the years leading up to PC.

I think Sweeney will have time to build the team he envisions, the owner is not reactionary like many fans are.

Fans many want a big in season trade but those are very rare. Teams these days because of the cap are almost always built during the off-season.

This team, on paper, is good enough to make the playoffs, now they just have to play like it.

I personally believe that once in the playoffs this team will perform better than in the regular season ... they just need to get there.

If my argument is flawed, then your is full of conjecture and personal opinion.

I am basing my post on what was actually 'said.'

No one has said anything about Don Sweeney's job 'being safe for 18-36 months.'

That came from you. My post is based on what the owner of the team has stated. In fact.

Once again I re-iterate, that personally I believe that GM's need at least 3 years. Otherwise, we're not being fair.

Further to my point in the previous post, this is obviously an unique position as the franchise is feeling the heat. Hence the discussion about DS and his future which has lasted months and not so easily dismissed.

We shall see, but I wouldn't be calling my argument 'flawed' when you are merely pulling numbers out of the sky.

And if you owned the team, I would happily defer to you.

 

[RedeyeRocketeer]

Gonna laugh real hard if they buy huge at the deadline and trade their 1st ++

 

[BruinDust]

Gonna laugh real hard if they buy huge at the deadline and trade their 1st ++

Doubtful there will even be anyone available at the deadline as a rental that warrants dealing away a 1st.

 

[ODAAT]

At this point I would say go home. No need to add at the deadline. If he can make a long term deal, go for it. Otherwise Don should at this point, waive Hayes and take a go on a 100 day cruise.

a long term deal for someone who`s not 35 and is a legit NHL player

Problem is, who`s giving those guys away, gonna be pricey