Management Don Sweeney V

[BB88]

Jaffe was railing on them hard on the radio to pick a direction and go with it.

Either rebuild or make (a) deal(s) to reinforce the current roster.

Rebuilding feels easier.
It's almost impossible to trade for the players they need to become a Cup winner.

Build it properly, build a longterm contender.

I don't believe they need a 7 year rebuild, 2 year "tank/rebuild" should be enough.
Marchand 28y, Krug 25y.
Pasta, Carlo, McAvoy.
Quality depth prospects Lauzon, Seny, DeBrusk, Heinen, JFK.
There's some ground work done already, don't have to start from zero.

But they need few more elite pieces for that group. They need guys you can lineup against guys like McDavid, Matthews, Marner, Eichel, Laine.

I don't see this Detroit plan to get them to the top. This has gone on for too long and won't be contenders in the near future.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Missing on Vesey, that still stings.

The Bruins are missing a Winger, and some punch on the Wing.

They have been for years; really since Iginla and Horton vacated. Even moreso now with Lucic, and to a lesser degree, Loui.

It's a couple of the major, obvious deficiencies that Don Sweeney has struggled to address.

If they just could have sold that kid. Local, in lock step with the re-fit in Boston, it just fit.....and look what they may be faced with now?

Not getting Vesey for free (other than $) may cost this franchise another blue chipper and a draft pick.

I know to some getting Vesey is 1/30, but I want GM's who can sell a great program.

And maybe that is the problem too.

Just mentioning how things tend to trickle downhill.

That was a big disappointment to me.

I was hoping Vesey would sign here, but wasn't as devastated as some because of the wings in the pipeline.

For those still clinging to the S.S Vesey life preservers:


First 20 games: 7g/5a +5

Next 24 game: 4g/3a -11


Last two games he has played only 15 minutes combined, but still managed no points (no shots) and is a -4 on the sheet. He's lucky he didn't sign here because with that stat line over the last 24 games, the fans would be having their own impromptu tea party with Jimmy going into the harbor.

 

[BruinDust]

Rebuilding feels easier.
It's almost impossible to trade for the players they need to become a Cup winner.

Build it properly, build a longterm contender.

I don't believe they need a 7 year rebuild, 2 year "tank/rebuild".
Marchand 28y, Krug 25y.
Pasta, Carlo, McAvoy.
Quality depth prospects Lauzon, Seny, DeBrusk, Heinen, JFK.
There's some ground work done already, don't have to start from zero.

But they need few more elite pieces for that group. They need guys you can lineup against guys like McDavid, Matthews, Eichel, Laine.

I don't see this Detroit plan to get them to the top.

Honest questions.

So your going to essentially strip it down and tank for two seasons.

1) What do you do with Rask? Because I'd contend that asking a very young group to play in front of inadequate goaltending is suicide. It will kill the confidence of these young players. Bad goaltending is one of the most disheartning things in hockey for players, a complete moral killer. Go ask the Leafs and Oilers how trying to rebuild without goaltending has worked for them. Essentially killed each teams 1st rebuilds forcing them to go for a 2nd. Both teams look like they are on their way out of the darkness finally. No coincidence both teams now have quality goaltenders after a decade without one.

2) Do you think they can move Backes right now? Because I'd contend that as one of this past summer's big name July 1st UFAs, you can't deal him this season. The optics of that for the Bruins organization to me are terrible and would hurt their reputation recruiting future free agents. The earliest I see it is deadline next season if things are going sour.

3) Straight up, do you deal Bergeron?

 

[Dr Hook]

Honest questions.

So your going to essentially strip it down and tank for two seasons.

1) What do you do with Rask? Because I'd contend that asking a very young group to play in front of inadequate goaltending is suicide. It will kill the confidence of these young players. Bad goaltending is one of the most disheartning things in hockey for players, a complete moral killer. Go ask the Leafs and Oilers how trying to rebuild without goaltending has worked for them. Essentially killed each teams 1st rebuilds forcing them to go for a 2nd. Both teams look like they are on their way out of the darkness finally. No coincidence both teams now have quality goaltenders after a decade without one.

2) Do you think they can move Backes right now? Because I'd contend that as one of this past summer's big name July 1st UFAs, you can't deal him this season. The optics of that for the Bruins organization to me are terrible and would hurt their reputation recruiting future free agents. The earliest I see it is deadline next season if things are going sour.

3) Straight up, do you deal Bergeron?

I'll take a shot at it-

1) You keep Rask- he isn't part of the problem and you can't move him and ask Zane or Subban to go in there and play 60+ games in front a young rebuilding team.

2) I don't think Backes can be moved- another year in, with that contract, leaving the optics aside, could we even move him. That said, when you are looking at a 2-year project, you don't have to move EVERY veteran out, you keep Backes not only because you probably have to, but because he has something to offer a young rebuilding team. You re-sign Dom Moore for the same reason.

3) As above, you keep Bergeron. That still leaves a lot of "expendables" that could and should be moved as part of the project. Krejci, Chara, Beleskey, Spooner, Liles, Kevan, McQuaid, Hayes, Nash- that's half your lineup right there.

 

[22Brad Park]

Rebuilding feels easier.
It's almost impossible to trade for the players they need to become a Cup winner.

Build it properly, build a longterm contender.

I don't believe they need a 7 year rebuild, 2 year "tank/rebuild" should be enough.
Marchand 28y, Krug 25y.
Pasta, Carlo, McAvoy.
Quality depth prospects Lauzon, Seny, DeBrusk, Heinen, JFK.
There's some ground work done already, don't have to start from zero.

But they need few more elite pieces for that group. They need guys you can lineup against guys like McDavid, Matthews, Marner, Eichel, Laine.

I don't see this Detroit plan to get them to the top. This has gone on for too long and won't be contenders in the near future.[/QUOTE WA]


We all watched Loui walk away for not a darn bit of return. If it's a true rebuild were for he should of been traded last year.This management group has no idea what direction it's going We the fans suffer because of it. I cannot wait to see them all fired

 

[BruinDust]

I'll take a shot at it-

1) You keep Rask- he isn't part of the problem and you can't move him and ask Zane or Subban to go in there and play 60+ games in front a young rebuilding team.

2) I don't think Backes can be moved- another year in, with that contract, leaving the optics aside, could we even move him. That said, when you are looking at a 2-year project, you don't have to move EVERY veteran out, you keep Backes not only because you probably have to, but because he has something to offer a young rebuilding team. You re-sign Dom Moore for the same reason.

3) As above, you keep Bergeron. That still leaves a lot of "expendables" that could and should be moved as part of the project. Krejci, Chara, Beleskey, Spooner, Liles, Kevan, McQuaid, Hayes, Nash- that's half your lineup right there.

Agree with all 3 answers Dr. Hook. And with re-signing Moore (as long as it's a 1-year deal) Well done sir.

 

[bp13]

I would absolutely deal Bergeron, or anyone, if the trade was a good one. Let's say a young team like Winnipeg felt they were in it and needed a center, or Carolina. And they each made offers that included Trouba or Hanifin, plus players, prospects that you felt could contribute within 1-2 years. I definitely look at those deals. They won't happen, and you clearly can NOT "shop" him, but I'd take calls on anyone.

I also want to add that I think the whole "you can't trade a recently signed player" thing is kinda hogwash. I get the theory, but what if Backes was open to it? Players understand the concept of "circumstances". Players get acquired sometimes only to move the same season. If you could find a taker to give you fair value for Backes (and I doubt you could), I wouldn't worry at all about perception. "We signed him with the best intentions and it didn't work out. We worked with him during the entire trade process to ensure he was very happy with where he went, we insisted on it in fact, and we made the best decision for all parties." Seems like a fine enough approach. Of course, I realize the Bruins management probably couldn't figure out how to craft such a message, but any semi-professional team could do it. They could probably hire someone. Sweeney probably went to Harvard with a guy who can communicate like a professional, so he could probably find one.

 

[BB88]

Honest questions.

So your going to essentially strip it down and tank for two seasons.

1) What do you do with Rask? Because I'd contend that asking a very young group to play in front of inadequate goaltending is suicide. It will kill the confidence of these young players. Bad goaltending is one of the most disheartning things in hockey for players, a complete moral killer. Go ask the Leafs and Oilers how trying to rebuild without goaltending has worked for them. Essentially killed each teams 1st rebuilds forcing them to go for a 2nd. Both teams look like they are on their way out of the darkness finally. No coincidence both teams now have quality goaltenders after a decade without one.

2) Do you think they can move Backes right now? Because I'd contend that as one of this past summer's big name July 1st UFAs, you can't deal him this season. The optics of that for the Bruins organization to me are terrible and would hurt their reputation recruiting future free agents. The earliest I see it is deadline next season if things are going sour.

3) Straight up, do you deal Bergeron?

I'd keep all 3, because of the contracts they have.
But I'd work around them and try to give them a competetive team for 18-19 season when Rask is 31& Bergeron 34y.

I honestly can't see this current model being better or helping them faster, do you disagree?

To me this prospect pool helps to address the problems they have on this years roster but not those problems that they are facing in the near future. So I would try to find elite C prospect and try to find another elite D-prospect from one of the 2 next drafts.
Liljegren, Heiskanen and Dahlin are great options because if you want you can play them in Providence for their +1 year. They don't seem like 5 year projects.

So keep Bergeron, Marchand, Backes, Rask, Krejci, unless you can move Krejci which I doubt.
Don't sign anymore vets, try to sell veteran players for assets, McQuaid/Beleskey/Miller/Liles, won't be easy.
Give the team the best chance to make deals if impact player becomes available, (required extra assets).

Have next year as a proper re-tool development year, let the kids play, make a mistake and not bench them after every mistake, don't sign vets to push the kids out of the lineup.
This roster wouldn't be completely without older players, there still would be veteran presence, mentors in Bergeron, Chara, Rask, Marchand, Krug, Backes.
Draft high at the end of that season.

18-19 have a potential playoff team, use assets at the deadline to buy help for playoff push. Hopefully have your new core in the system and just enjoy.

This drafting at 14 is killing me. I don't want to tank, rebuild. I'd much rather chase the Cup year after year, but again if I'm honest I can't write to this post I believe this team has what it takes to win the Cup in the next 2 years.


This isn't even when I think of it now a 2 year plan because this year is already halway through, it would be 1.5 year project.

 

[BruinDust]

I'd keep all 3, because of the contracts they have.
But I'd work around them and try to give them a competetive team for 18-19 season when Rask is 31& Bergeron 34y.

I honestly can't see this current model being better or helping them faster, do you disagree?

To me this prospect pool helps to address the problems they have on this years roster but not those problems that they are facing in the near future. So I would try to find elite C prospect and try to find another elite D-prospect from one of the 2 next drafts.
Liljegren, Heiskanen and Dahlin are great options because if you want you can play them in Providence for their +1 year. They don't seem like 5 year projects.

So keep Bergeron, Marchand, Backes, Rask, Krejci, unless you can move Krejci which I doubt.
Don't sign anymore vets, try to sell veteran players for assets, McQuaid/Beleskey/Miller/Liles, won't be easy.
Give the team the best chance to make deals if impact player becomes available, (required extra assets).

Have next year as a proper re-tool development year, let the kids play, make a mistake and not bench them after every mistake, don't sign vets to push the kids out of the lineup.
This roster wouldn't be completely without older players, there still would be veteran presence, mentors in Bergeron, Chara, Rask, Marchand, Krug, Backes.
Draft high at the end of that season.

18-19 have a potential playoff team, use assets at the deadline to buy help for playoff push.

This drafting at 14 is killing me. I don't want to tank, rebuild. I'd much rather chase the Cup year after year, but again if I'm honest I can't write to this post I believe this team has what it takes to win the Cup in the next 2 years.


This isn't even when I think of it now a 2 year plan because this year is already halway through, it would be 1.5 year project.

I like that plan. All of it. I also think it's realistic to implement if they wanted to. It's pretty much what should of happened coming out of the 2014 loss to the Habs, but this franchise has been in denial ever since.

I wouldn't care if they lost 60 games a year. As long as the effort was there most nights, and the young guys were getting progressively better, I'd be fine with it. I want progress most of all. The past 2 1/2 seasons of effectively spinning their tires is driving me nuts.

 

[Blowfish]

Any call ups?

 

[BB88]

I like that plan. All of it. I also think it's realistic to implement if they wanted to. It's pretty much what should of happened coming out of the 2014 loss to the Habs, but this franchise has been in denial ever since.

I wouldn't care if they lost 60 games a year. As long as the effort was there most nights, and the young guys were getting progressively better, I'd be fine with it. I want progress most of all. The past 2 1/2 seasons of effectively spinning their tires is driving me nuts.

These last few years have been painfull, the same thing keeps happening over and over again and I'm not confident at all that this team will be one of the elite teams in the league next year.

So why not just admit it and really spent 1 year developing, for good of the future.
Some can/will ask what would happen to ticket sails if they "tank". But what will happen to ticket sails if next year is same as the last 2 1/2 years have been? How do you sell boring mediocre hockey.
What if they had Pasta, McAvoy, one of Liljegren/Patrik/Hischier, in the system, year after Dahlin/x.

Again I don't see how selling some of the vets that have no longterm future on the team and spending next year developing would set them for worse 18-19 season than another mediocre season with 12- 14th overall pick.
Like in my post I have said I would argue otherwise. They could have their new core in the system after 17-18 year while still Rask, Marchand& Bergeron between 30-34y.

 

[Brucentric*]

Lets wake up to reality, There is no rebuild here. Chara, Krejci, Bergie, Rask Marchand. Then you sign Backes long term.

That should tell you this is a win now team. This is not a rebuild situation. Use your kids to build on to this team.

This team is gonna be fine. Just get them the two DMEN they need to compete. The players here have been left out to dry by Sweeney. They are like 4-5 million under the cap. We have money and we have CHIPS. Sweeney seems to be gambling that they have a run in them. Complete the team, Then they can go far.

 

[BB88]

Lets wake up to reality, There is no rebuild here. Chara, Krejci, Bergie, Rask Marchand. Then you sign Backes long term.

That should tell you this is a win now team. This is not a rebuild situation. Use your kids to build on to this team.

This team is gonna be fine. Just get them the two DMEN they need to compete. The players here have been left out to dry by Sweeney. They are like 4-5 million under the cap. We have money and we have CHIPS. Sweeney seems to be gambling that they have a run in them. Complete the team, Then they can go far.

This team is really struggling in a weak weak division.

It is so difficult to find what they need from a trade market, Gm's simply don't want to trade those guys.

 

[bruinmann77]

I go with the young players who deserve to be called up. I rather see the Bruins do a rebuild and incorporate some of there young guys and put everyone on notice they be open to trades

 

[Duguay]

I was hoping Vesey would sign here, but wasn't as devastated as some because of the wings in the pipeline.

For those still clinging to the S.S Vesey life preservers:


First 20 games: 7g/5a +5

Next 24 game: 4g/3a -11


Last two games he has played only 15 minutes combined, but still managed no points (no shots) and is a -4 on the sheet. He's lucky he didn't sign here because with that stat line over the last 24 games, the fans would be having their own impromptu tea party with Jimmy going into the harbor.

There will be up and downs for all NHL players, especially the young players. All face a crisis in confidence at one stage or another. This is the best league in the world.

Despite all the data you just graced us with, I would still sign him in a heartbeat.
And for those wanting to put a young player out in the hahbah, well, they don't deserve to revel in the spoils of his talent.

IMHO he would have fit in perfectly.

 

[22Brad Park]

Lets wake up to reality, There is no rebuild here. Chara, Krejci, Bergie, Rask Marchand. Then you sign Backes long term.

That should tell you this is a win now team. This is not a rebuild situation. Use your kids to build on to this team.

This team is gonna be fine. Just get them the two DMEN they need to compete. The players here have been left out to dry by Sweeney. They are like 4-5 million under the cap. We have money and we have CHIPS. Sweeney seems to be gambling that they have a run in them. Complete the team, Then they can go far.

34 games left.Highly doubt he gets them enough to get it done in time .Only been 3 years and never did nothing but sign K.Miller snd Liles.

 

[AlpineLager]

Whoever named this guy Dealer Donnie should be banned from the board. Lol. Not sure the guy could even deal a deck of cards.

 

[22Brad Park]

Whoever named this guy Dealer Donnie should be banned from the board. Lol. Not sure the guy could even deal a deck of cards.

 

[AM Bruin]

If any changes are to be made, I don't want Neely involved in any of it. In fact the only change that needs to be made is for Neely to be fired and have Sweeney make the necessary changes.

As I'd mentioned in an earlier post, having a person in management more preoccupied with keeping his own legacy as a player unchallenged by a younger fan favorite around doesn't instill confidence in the decision making process.

 

[bruinmann77]

DS needs a team willing to trade and also not getting swindled

 

[EverettMike]

I was hoping Vesey would sign here, but wasn't as devastated as some because of the wings in the pipeline.

For those still clinging to the S.S Vesey life preservers:


First 20 games: 7g/5a +5

Next 24 game: 4g/3a -11


Last two games he has played only 15 minutes combined, but still managed no points (no shots) and is a -4 on the sheet. He's lucky he didn't sign here because with that stat line over the last 24 games, the fans would be having their own impromptu tea party with Jimmy going into the harbor.

Having the same type of season as Carlo it seems like.

 

[bruinmann77]

I agree think of what the fans would be doing to him but the NY fans are not that forgiving

 

[patty59]

Having the same type of season as Carlo it seems like.

Pretty tough to compare the 2 considering age/position/hype.

 

[EverettMike]

Pretty tough to compare the 2 considering age/position/hype.

Comparing their seasons? Totally fair.

Comparing what it might mean for their futures, or how fans might respond to it? I agree, not the same.

 

[patty59]

Comparing their seasons? Totally fair.

Comparing what it might mean for their futures, or how fans might respond to it? I agree, not the same.

Fair enough, I wasn't sure what you were getting at. I wanted Vesey because who wouldn't want a NHL ready player for pretty much free? I wasn't upset when he didn't sign and I don't blame him or Sweeney for it not happening. It was his choice.