Management Don Sweeney V

[bp13]

It's Neely's call so he should address- Sweeney commenting on what's going on inside Cam's head makes no sense to me.

Neely is higher on the mask head and he's the one who has been jonesing for Chiarelli & Claude since he came on

Cam is on the hot seat you can only tell Jeremy Jacobs so many times something will happen and it won't

So based on what you or insiders know, it could easily be the case that Neely is/will be the driving force behind Julien's employment. Easily.

But lets not forget the optics. When Sweeney was hired, he had a press conference and BY HIMSELF stated that he wanted time to evaluate Claude. He.

“He’s the coach of the Boston Bruins as of today, for sure,” Sweeney said Wednesday in a news conference after he was promoted to become the eighth GM in the 81-year history of the Original Six franchise. “I think tremendously of him as a coach and as a person. It’s just a matter of lining up things that I believe in....A decision on Julien “will be in due time,” Sweeney said. “But I’ll make the best decision for the organization,” he said. “It might not be the easiest one.”

So it was made clear during that process that the new GM was in charge of deciding whether to rehire Julien. Now in reality maybe that wasn't true, but they 100% tried to make it seem like it was. So if it's now on Neely to comment on coaching rumors and somehow out of Sweeney's hands, then that is 180 degrees from the impression they tried to create. And maybe that's not Sweeney's fault, but he's complicit in it. He's the GM and he supposedly made the call on keeping Julien.

As to your other point, I'm enthused to hear Neely isn't there as much. That's undoubtedly great news if true.

 

[DKH]

So based on what you or insiders know, it could easily be the case that Neely is/will be the driving force behind Julien's employment. Easily.

But lets not forget the optics. When Sweeney was hired, he had a press conference and BY HIMSELF stated that he wanted time to evaluate Claude. He.

“He’s the coach of the Boston Bruins as of today, for sure,” Sweeney said Wednesday in a news conference after he was promoted to become the eighth GM in the 81-year history of the Original Six franchise. “I think tremendously of him as a coach and as a person. It’s just a matter of lining up things that I believe in....A decision on Julien “will be in due time,” Sweeney said. “But I’ll make the best decision for the organization,” he said. “It might not be the easiest one.”

So it was made clear during that process that the new GM was in charge of deciding whether to rehire Julien. Now in reality maybe that wasn't true, but they 100% tried to make it seem like it was. So if it's now on Neely to comment on coaching rumors and somehow out of Sweeney's hands, then that is 180 degrees from the impression they tried to create. And maybe that's not Sweeney's fault, but he's complicit in it. He's the GM and he supposedly made the call on keeping Julien.

As to your other point, I'm enthused to hear Neely isn't there as much. That's undoubtedly great news if true.

I love the insider stuff and in all actuality it's way more than I let on which makes it tough to post and gets frustrating.

I'm just going to kick back and enjoy this place for what it is - a great place for hockey filled with very knowledge and passionate fans and you are one of the best even though we butt heads on this

Let's just see what happens if they miss the playoffs- I think we will see an interesting move or two

 

[bp13]

I love the insider stuff and in all actuality it's way more than I let on which makes it tough to post and gets frustrating.

I'm just going to kick back and enjoy this place for what it is - a great place for hockey filled with very knowledge and passionate fans and you are one of the best even though we butt heads on this

Let's just see what happens if they miss the playoffs- I think we will see an interesting move or two

All I can say is that if they miss the playoffs, and they likely will, I just want to see Neely gone. I'll live with whatever else happens, Sweeney, Julien, whatever. Just please let Neely be gone.

 

[DKH]

All I can say is that if they miss the playoffs, and they likely will, I just want to see Neely gone. I'll live with whatever else happens, Sweeney, Julien, whatever. Just please let Neely be gone.

The crazy thing is one of the best bit of info I got on this whole Sweeney Neely dynamic was from a poster here who apparently read my rants he certainly had the info and Close to situation

Some PMs I've got told me I was very wrong and why

This Sweeney Neely thing sure seems a bit different than any I remember

It's tough assigning blame but without clear understanding I would just go with the standard Sweeney is the GM

However they are equally culpable right now

If they miss and they should I'm expecting more than a coaching change

My view and could be wrong is Neely is in the side of the coin that wants to make playoffs as much as for survival

Sweeney seems to want to build something more than playoffs at all costs

Neely wants to be sustained whereas Sweeney wants to build something sustainable

 

[ap3lovr]

Neely wants to be sustained whereas Sweeney wants to build something sustainable

This doesn't really jive with Neely nixing deadline deals that Chiarelli wanted to make in 2014. Unless Neely wanted an excuse to get rid of him. If that is the case, and Neely is being petty and vindictive to that degree, he should be shown the door today. I can't imagine that Jacobs, a man that has been working in business for decades wouldn't pick up on this easily.

 

[DKH]

This doesn't really jive with Neely nixing deadline deals that Chiarelli wanted to make in 2014. Unless Neely wanted an excuse to get rid of him. If that is the case, and Neely is being petty and vindictive to that degree, he should be shown the door today. I can't imagine that Jacobs, a man that has been working in business for decades wouldn't pick up on this easily.

Neely in 2014 vs Neely in 2017

What's different?

 

[Speed Shooter]

Biggest loss here is not grooming Morrow to play. Shame. They will regret it.

I 100% agree. Kid needed real playing time and a fair shot with an extended look to work out kinks/get acclimated to NHL. Got neither IMO.

Who's at fault for that? Claude's 'coach's decision' or Sweeney for re-signing Liles after his not very good stint post trade deadline?

What's that great Obi-Wan line from Star Wars?

Who is more foolish? The fool, or the fool who follows him?

 

[DKH]

I 100% agree. Kid needed real playing time and a fair shot with an extended look to work out kinks/get acclimated to NHL. Got neither IMO.

Who's at fault for that? Claude's 'coach's decision' or Sweeney for re-signing Liles after his not very good stint post trade deadline?

What's that great Obi-Wan line from Star Wars?

Who is more foolish? The fool, or the fool who follows him?

I agree with a lot of this especially on Morrow

Liles in retrospect they should not have signed but who knew the 37th pick in the 2015 draft would be getting 20 + minutes in NHL not 100 games in the AHL

Also, Colin Miller has been pretty good and should get better

Plus it's Claude coaching

Morrow would be the guy I'm grabbing if Vegas

 

[Bergyesque]

It looks like there is some disconnect in the Bs chain of command.

On the "amateur side" of thing, they seem to be looking for high-IQ, moderately big, not necessarily fast, playmaking C-men; highly dynamic, skilled and/or fast, goal scoring wingers; and big and/or aggressive, mobile, puck-moving D-men.
You have a vision of what type of team they’re trying to built.

On the other hand, on the "pro side", they resign both McQuaid and K.Miller, they trade for Rinaldo, they sign Backes, and play him on the wing, they took forever to play C.Miller, they still don’t play Morrow.

It seems to me, those two “sides†don’t look in the same direction.
Who sit on each sides? Is Sweeney sitting on two chairs?

By the way, I didn't mind the Lucic trade (thought I was sad ) and the Hamilton trade (thought I think Sweeney could have gotten a little more).
Also, I didn’t mind last year’s trade deadline deals. They didn’t go against the vision on the “amateur side†since the acquisitions were for players with terminating contracts, that were supposed to help right now. Not saying I was thrilled, but it didn’t bothered me, and the team was in PO position at the time.

 

[DKH]

It looks like there is some disconnect in the Bs chain of command.

On the "amateur side" of thing, they seem to be looking for high-IQ, moderately big, not necessarily fast, playmaking C-men; highly dynamic, skilled and/or fast, goal scoring wingers; and big and/or aggressive, mobile, puck-moving D-men.
You have a vision of what type of team they’re trying to built.

On the other hand, on the "pro side", they resign both McQuaid and K.Miller, they trade for Rinaldo, they sign Backes, and play him on the wing, they took forever to play C.Miller, they still don’t play Morrow.

It seems to me, those two “sides” don’t look in the same direction.
Who sit on each sides? Is Sweeney sitting on two chairs?

By the way, I didn't mind the Lucic trade (thought I was sad ) and the Hamilton trade (thought I think Sweeney could have gotten a little more).
Also, I didn’t mind last year’s trade deadline deals. They didn’t go against the vision on the “amateur side” since the acquisitions were for players with terminating contracts, that were supposed to help right now. Not saying I was thrilled, but it didn’t bothered me, and the team was in PO position at the time.

It does seem different BUT they have a good core the past 2 years anc at 70 games last year had 86 points

Averaging just 12 points in their last 12 games which is even a significant drop they end with 98

This year they are 24-12-4 in 40 games with Rask in net

They have worst back up record in a the league- show me in the Khudobin thread when signed anyone calling this

Rask playing 60 games projects to 78 points

Just averaging 1 point a game in other 22 which is not good gives them 100 points

Folks posting now they had this forgot to post the evidence last fall

 

[HallOfFamer]

Ramblings on Sweeney and the team

The unfortunate thing about this season is that it feels as though the Bruins are already out of it, and we haven't even made it past the All-Star Break yet.

It's been frustrating watching the seeming inactivity over the past few years at the pro level. However, I think that Sweeney has done a decent job of trying to be competitive now and still trying to draft and develop talent.

Looking at this team at the start of the year, many people were saying that the Bergeron line with Marchand and Pasta could be the best line in the league (especially off of the WC and Pasta's torrid start). The second line, with Krejci and Backes and Vatrano should have been very solid, same as the third line (Spooner coming off of a promising season and Beleskey playing on a top line with Anaheim just a couple of years earlier). The fourth line had Claude's defensively responsible players, but also added an element of offense too. Pair this with a goalie paid to be elite, you had a lot of elements for success. Granted, the team was missing a top 2 defenseman, but overall the Defense has been acceptable, with guys like Krug, Chiller, and Carlo filling roles now while being a part of the future. This team should have had the talent to make the playoffs while still building for the future.

Injuries to key guys have exposed the lack of depth, and there has been too many nights the team has mailed it in. I can't let Julien off of the hook for the no-show performances, especially since it's happened now for a couple of years in a row. I am not sure how I would feel if he is let go however. I think he bears some responsibility for the team's poor play, but not sure that firing him would be the best move.

While I don't fault Sweeney for the roster, I do think that he and Neely should be more accessible to the media to answer questions about the club. Appearing like they are hiding is not a good look and does not inspire confidence.

One thing to remember with this club though - some of their poor performances could be partly blamed on fatigue from playing so many games already. I would expect them to improve once the league catches up to them in the number of games played, and see some of these teams suffer some of the poor play that the Bruins have had. Unfortunately, I just don't know there weren't too many points already squandered for the B's to have a legit shot at the playoffs now.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

I 100% agree. Kid needed real playing time and a fair shot with an extended look to work out kinks/get acclimated to NHL. Got neither IMO.

Who's at fault for that? Claude's 'coach's decision' or Sweeney for re-signing Liles after his not very good stint post trade deadline?

What's that great Obi-Wan line from Star Wars?

Who is more foolish? The fool, or the fool who follows him?

Yep, with more consistent playing time Morrow could have been the next Bartkowski.

 

[Over the volcano]

Yep, with more consistent playing time Morrow could have been the next Bartkowski.

That's pretty damn funny

 

[DKH]

Yep, with more consistent playing time Morrow could have been the next Bartkowski.

Much much more upside than Bart

 

[finchster]

I don't think you can say he was replaced with Liles... They both were on the team at the same time last year.

He bought out Seidenberg and then failed to replace him at all.

Liles was a rental, who played dreadfully, and was re-signed. It's not as if they played together for a whole season. Sweeney saw something in Liles in his -7 in 17 games with the Bruins that made him feel more comfortable going with Liles and buying out Seidenberg. The buyout was foolish anyway, buying out Seidenberg and re-signing Liles saved us a 0.84m on the cap.

Yes Seidenberg was bad last season, but I felt and wrote then Liles was worse.

Yep, with more consistent playing time Morrow could have been the next Bartkowski.

Agree 100%, Joe Morrow is not an NHL hockey player.

 

[Brucentric*]

Liles was a rental, who played dreadfully, and was re-signed. It's not as if they played together for a whole season. Sweeney saw something in Liles in his -7 in 17 games with the Bruins that made him feel more comfortable going with Liles and buying out Seidenberg. The buyout was foolish anyway, buying out Seidenberg and re-signing Liles saved us a 0.84m on the cap.

Yes Seidenberg was bad last season, but I felt and wrote then Liles was worse.


Agree 100%, Joe Morrow is not an NHL hockey player.

Yea.................................................................................OK.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Yep, with more consistent playing time Morrow could have been the next Bartkowski.

Classic.

I was a Bart guy. Think Morrow has more upside and wish he had gotten more of a look to this point.

That being said, Colin Miller is going to be much better than Morrow and he can barely get a look.

 

[Spooner st]

Classic.

I was a Bart guy. Think Morrow has more upside and wish he had gotten more of a look to this point.

That being said, Colin Miller is going to be much better than Morrow and he can barely get a look.

They are slow learners, they have problems assimilate plays and schemes hence the brain farts.
No matter upside they have if they can't translate it to games without being prone to mental and technical mistakes.

Miller is coming along nicely. Not because he plays more but because he is showing he can be reliable.

Blaming Julien or Sweeney for players short comings are... well... you know...

 

[LSCII]

Yep, with more consistent playing time Morrow could have been the next Bartkowski.

Do you ever get tired of making excuses for every questionable move the coach makes? Honest question because doing that is like having a second full time job...

 

[Spooner st]

Yep, with more consistent playing time Morrow could have been the next Bartkowski.

Morrow has more upside.
Downside execution and consistency .
Weakness, coaches fault.

 

[the overrated]

The crazy thing is one of the best bit of info I got on this whole Sweeney Neely dynamic was from a poster here who apparently read my rants he certainly had the info and Close to situation

Some PMs I've got told me I was very wrong and why

This Sweeney Neely thing sure seems a bit different than any I remember

It's tough assigning blame but without clear understanding I would just go with the standard Sweeney is the GM

However they are equally culpable right now

If they miss and they should I'm expecting more than a coaching change

My view and could be wrong is Neely is in the side of the coin that wants to make playoffs as much as for survival

Sweeney seems to want to build something more than playoffs at all costs

Neely wants to be sustained whereas Sweeney wants to build something sustainable

It'd be easier to argue that Sweeney is actively avoiding the playoffs rather than trying to make it at any cost, let alone all costs.

Year 1: Before the season starts, trades a top 6 winger & a top 4 defensemen, replaces them with a 3rd liner & a sub-7th defensemen. Lets team stay as-is until near the deadline and then only adds scraps to the already overflowing scrap heap.

Year 2: Goes into the season with a forward group that lacks depth & a mediocre group of defensemen. When the season starts, the fact that the back-up goalie is not doing anything but costing the team points becomes apparent. Sweeney then waits roughly 3 months to do anything about that. Still leaves the weak forwards & mediocre defensemen as-is.

Yeah, I think saying that he's not working to get to the playoffs "at all costs" is an understatement.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Do you ever get tired of making excuses for every questionable move the coach makes? Honest question because doing that is like having a second full time job...

No, I don't. I relish it.

Here's the thing. I make the wild assumption that Claude knows more about hockey, his system and his players than the posters do. Based on that assumption, I try to figure out what he's thinking rather than just chalking everything up to hating young players and players that have offensive ability. That doesn't guarantee I'm right and posters are wrong because coaches and GMs get fired all the time for making terrible decisions. When I see #20 out there in OT my reaction is probably the same as the anti-Julien crowd. But there are bigger issues to address about how the game got to OT in the first place.

So, that's where I stand as the Clode advocate.

 

[xStanleyCupsFor]

And pre scripted telephone calls? Nope, not a chance, hockey guys can't act. that's the real deal

Ok maybe a little hyperbole on my part there. I do think it was in poor taste showing that though...whether I agree with some of the assessment or not. I think it was only a small part of the whole play.

 

[Duguay]

Ok maybe a little hyperbole on my part there. I do think it was in poor taste showing that though...whether I agree with some of the assessment or not. I think it was only a small part of the whole play.

I loved seeing it, but I knew it wasn't the right thing to allow from a Management aspect. Now that I think back, I certainly detected the hint of dysfunction at that table. I've sat at many tables like that in my life, as many of us probably have.

 

[JRull86]

It'd be easier to argue that Sweeney is actively avoiding the playoffs rather than trying to make it at any cost, let alone all costs.

Year 1: Before the season starts, trades a top 6 winger & a top 4 defensemen, replaces them with a 3rd liner & a sub-7th defensemen. Lets team stay as-is until near the deadline and then only adds scraps to the already overflowing scrap heap.

Year 2: Goes into the season with a forward group that lacks depth & a mediocre group of defensemen. When the season starts, the fact that the back-up goalie is not doing anything but costing the team points becomes apparent. Sweeney then waits roughly 3 months to do anything about that. Still leaves the weak forwards & mediocre defensemen as-is.

Yeah, I think saying that he's not working to get to the playoffs "at all costs" is an understatement.

Yes because that's how you keep a job in and NHL front office. Seriously that might legitimately be the stupidest statement I've read on here in awhile.

How do you win in today's NHL? A mix of core vets and guys on ELC's/second contracts. This team needed the latter desperately.

Sweeney has his warts, and we can debate if he's a good GM till we're blue in the face (still too early to tell), but he immediately recognized that the team that Chiarelli left him was unsustainable. Getting assets back for Lucic who they were never going to re-sign was the right move. Getting assets back for a malcontent who supposedly wasn't going to re-sign in Hamilton was the right move, even if he undersold.

He has work to do, but I personally think this team is in a much better position now than it was 22 months ago when he took over.

There's trying to rebuild and make the playoffs while staying the course, and there's trading away assets for bandaid fixes, high priced vets, and killing your prospect pool in the process. The latter is not what this team should be doing, even though people want to ship out young defensemen for Gabriel ****ing Landeskog (Who I do like).