Management Don Sweeney V

[Junior37]

It's SHOCKING that Sweeney hasn't done something by now to improve the team.

I'm not looking for miracles either... a backup goalie or a 3rd line center would have made a big impact on this season.

He is gun shy. He made the same mistake with Hamilton that Chiarelli made with Seguin. And, followed up with Nash, Schaller, Hayes, Moore (he's been ok), and $$ to McQuaid and K. Miller. He is overmatched as GM. Good at youth talent - maybe. But, that may have been K. Gretz.

 

[DKH]

He is gun shy. He made the same mistake with Hamilton that Chiarelli made with Seguin. And, followed up with Nash, Schaller, Hayes, Moore (he's been ok), and $$ to McQuaid and K. Miller. He is overmatched as GM. Good at youth talent - maybe. But, that may have been K. Gretz.

Bertuccis Apostles 11-1 thought he cleaned up on Hamilton deal

God Bless for HF to hold onto he screwed up the Hamilton deal

It's right there with the World is flat

You're way off base but have a fantastic weekend regardless

 

[LouJersey]

It's SHOCKING that Sweeney hasn't done something by now to improve the team.

I'm not looking for miracles either... a backup goalie or a 3rd line center would have made a big impact on this season.

Any suggestions on who they may have missed out on? There has been zero activity. I mean he could have claimed Halak I guess. Wingels?

 

[Sharp Shooting Neely]

It's SHOCKING that Sweeney hasn't done something by now to improve the team.

I'm not looking for miracles either... a backup goalie or a 3rd line center would have made a big impact on this season.

Not seeing a team(s) that has been able to make an impactful move(s). A few moves this past week or so have involved swaps of AHL players but nothing of substance happening otherwise. Sweeny can only control half of the equation in making a trade. Pretty clear that other GM's are also caught in the same period of paralysis that has set in for the entire league this season. Cap and expansion issues at play this season have changed the landscape considerably.

Many wish that a move would be made that may improve the B's current situation. Not seeing many if any signs that it will change dramatically by the deadline.

 

[PlayMakers]

I don't like Sweeney as GM, but I think he is right by not making panic moves. This team has too many holes so the best option is the draft and free agency.

I'm not suggesting "panic" moves, or even moves for star players. This team hasn't had a 3rd line C they could trust since Game1. Ditto for Khudobin. It's now Game 53? 54?

I think it's a domino effect of things that is causing not just Sweeney, but other GM's from making a trade


- teams are awfully close in the standings and are unwilling to part with players still vital to their chances of making the playoffs and appeasing fans, owners, etc etc.

- expansion draft looming on the horizon

- reports of the salary cap for next year not increasing

- The teams that are clearly out of it and have players that are appealing feel that they hold all the cards and the leverage in the trade table and will wait until a team is desperate enough to offer max value

I hear you and I believe it really is hard to make a deal... but deals have been made. A dozen NHL players have changed teams.

A guy like Condon could have saved our season. Peter Holland was moved too and he's an interesting player for me. Whenever we played TO he really stood out to me in a Dubinsky sort of way. He hasn't put up numbers this year but in the two previous seasons he was close to a half pt per game. He's good at the dot too... could he have helped solidify the 3rd line here? At $1.3m for 1 year I'd take a flyer.

 

[DKH]

It's SHOCKING that Sweeney hasn't done something by now to improve the team.

I'm not looking for miracles either... a backup goalie or a 3rd line center would have made a big impact on this season.

Couldn't disagree anymore unless you have a crystal ball

Zane McIntyre is unquestionably one the best young goalies in the AHL you had to go with him

Bill, I love yah man but you are diverting this away from Claude

Claudes a great coach but he's in trouble and you sense it. I understand but don't worry he will be in Ottawa next year and will get a 5 minute standing ovation first game back

As for third line center they got third line centers all over the place

 

[PlayMakers]

Any suggestions on who they may have missed out on? There has been zero activity. I mean he could have claimed Halak I guess. Wingels?

Not seeing a team(s) that has been able to make an impactful move(s). A few moves this past week or so have involved swaps of AHL players but nothing of substance happening otherwise. Sweeny can only control half of the equation in making a trade. Pretty clear that other GM's are also caught in the same period of paralysis that has set in for the entire league this season. Cap and expansion issues at play this season have changed the landscape considerably.

Many wish that a move would be made that may improve the B's current situation. Not seeing many if any signs that it will change dramatically by the deadline.

Condon alone would have changed our season.

And fwiw, I'm of the opinion that this team doesn't need earth shattering moves, just a change to the mix. Even looking ahead to the deadline. I don't think they have to add a Landeskog, but they do have to find a 3C that can make that line productive and dependable. They need a backup goalie. And they have excess NHL pieces to deal so they don't just have to work with "sellers." A Kevan Miller or McQuaid should be more than enough to get you one of those pieces from a team that's deep in net or at C.

 

[DKH]

Condon alone would have changed our season.

And fwiw, I'm of the opinion that this team doesn't need earth shattering moves, just a change to the mix. Even looking ahead to the deadline. I don't think they have to add a Landeskog, but they do have to find a 3C that can make that line productive and dependable. They need a backup goalie. And they have excess NHL pieces to deal so they don't just have to work with "sellers." A Kevan Miller or McQuaid should be more than enough to get you one of those pieces from a team that's deep in net or at C.

I admit at least one of the Apostles was all over Condon being the guy - 100% adamant they sign him and he reminds me often

Khudobin was my guy so I'm guilty

 

[PlayMakers]

Couldn't disagree anymore unless you have a crystal ball

Zane McIntyre is unquestionably one the best young goalies in the AHL you had to go with him

Bill, I love yah man but you are diverting this away from Claude

As for third line center they got third line centers all over the place

Lol, nice try at deflecting...

Zane has looked like a kid who needs more time in the AHL. Even Carey Price and Rask spent time in the AHL. Doesn't mean you're not still a great prospect with a great future. Even YOU have been saying they lack a competent backup goalie. Zane's got an .860 save pct and thy seem afraid to play him. They need (and have needed) a competent backup all year. There were rumors he was interested in a few but no deal...

And the guys they've played at 3C haven't been able to get the job done. Spooner and Czarnik give up more goals than they generate. Nash stops the bleeding but he also stifles the offense. This team has always needed 3 lines going to really be effective but that third line has been a constant drag on their momentum all season.

 

[patty59]

It's SHOCKING that Sweeney hasn't done something by now to improve the team.

I'm not looking for miracles either... a backup goalie or a 3rd line center would have made a big impact on this season.

I don't find it shocking at all, nothing happens in this league as far as moves until about 2 weeks from the deadline at the earliest, the team you start with in October is basically the one you have for 60 games. What's shocking is that Sweeney hasn't figured that out yet.

 

[Gordoff]

Condon alone would have changed our season.

And fwiw, I'm of the opinion that this team doesn't need earth shattering moves, just a change to the mix. Even looking ahead to the deadline. I don't think they have to add a Landeskog, but they do have to find a 3C that can make that line productive and dependable. They need a backup goalie. And they have excess NHL pieces to deal so they don't just have to work with "sellers." A Kevan Miller or McQuaid should be more than enough to get you one of those pieces from a team that's deep in net or at C.

Agreed, it seems like DS has decision paralysis. He comes off as tentative to the point where he looks scared to make any move as it may be his last. This is a dangerous attitude to work under. Above him he has Neely waiting for him to screw up so that he can fire him to make it look as though it's all Sweeney's fault.
We need to have ONE vision, one commander of the ship not 2-3.

 

[DKH]

I don't find it shocking at all, nothing happens in this league as far as moves until about 2 weeks from the deadline at the earliest, the team you start with in October is basically the one you have for 60 games. What's shocking is that Sweeney hasn't figured that out yet.

If Sweeney is as smart as a handful of us here and I think he is he ain't going to put lip stick on this pig

28 games till Binentendi-JBJ-Betts talk

Claude had a nice run and the 2014-2016 drafts bearing fruit

Focus on the positives folks

#goodtimescoming

 

[PlayMakers]

I admit at least one of the Apostles was all over Condon being the guy - 100% adamant they sign him and he reminds me often

Khudobin was my guy so I'm guilty

Enroth is another guy I would have taken a flyer on. He makes $750k and is a UFA in a few months. In 150+ NHL games he has a .910 save pct. Ana traded for him when they had a goalie injury and then sent him down when they were healthy. Could he have helped here? What's the downside to trying?

I also think the crystal ball stuff is off the mark. I'm speaking about deals that actually happened because folks wanted to use that basis to prove there were no viable options. But really, the point I was hteying to make was that deals were made. Regardless of the names and who worked out or didn't work out, we didn't even try somebody. That's disappointing to me. You never know when you might catch lightning in a bottle. These kinds of deals weren't costly. What would have been the downside to plucking Enroth (or someone similar) off waivers? Or giving up future considerations for a Holland or someone of that ilk? Why not try a few things?

 

[DKH]

Agreed, it seems like DS has decision paralysis. He comes off as tentative to the point where he looks scared to make any move as it may be his last. This is a dangerous attitude to work under. Above him he has Neely waiting for him to screw up so that he can fire him to make it look as though it's all Sweeney's fault.
We need to have ONE vision, one commander of the ship not 2-3.

Interesting takes on this thread

Not what I'm getting but sorry can't share I would like to maybe say something but been burned in the past

Lot more to this but just will say many not on the right trail

Let's just see how plays out

 

[Gordoff]

Dan, if we all shared the same opinion it would make for a pretty boring blog. It's just so darn frustrating waiting for moves that shoulda, coulda, woulda helped if made along the way. On the other hand huge mistakes could have happened along the way too.
I think the one thing that we can probably all agree on is that this team, this brand needs a shake up, bad.

 

[LouJersey]

The Condon hindsight is pretty funny to me. When Khudobin was signed, were there any "Dammit, we should have signed Mike Condon" comments.

Also, Dobby plays two games and gets hurt. A couple days later the Pens trade Condon for a 5th. So Sweeney was to give Dobby a whole 2 games into his new two year contract? Laughable.

 

[EverettMike]

Bertuccis Apostles 11-1 thought he cleaned up on Hamilton deal

God Bless for HF to hold onto he screwed up the Hamilton deal

It's right there with the World is flat

You're way off base but have a fantastic weekend regardless

That group seems to have been mostly wrong so far in their analysis of this team.

Maybe try eating at Olive Garden.

 

[Gordoff]

The Condon hindsight is pretty funny to me. When Khudobin was signed, were there any "Dammit, we should have signed Mike Condon" comments.

Also, Dobby plays two games and gets hurt. A couple days later the Pens trade Condon for a 5th. So Sweeney was to give Dobby a whole 2 games into his new two year contract? Laughable.

I think (and correct me if I'm wrong Bill Playmakers) is that the B's front office has a lack of imagination, of looking beyond the easy move and the ability to see things from a different, fresh perspective.
DS needs to come here and see all of his options and maybe he'll get a couple of good ideas (or not).

 

[Boston Bruno]

The Condon hindsight is pretty funny to me. When Khudobin was signed, were there any "Dammit, we should have signed Mike Condon" comments.

Also, Dobby plays two games and gets hurt. A couple days later the Pens trade Condon for a 5th. So Sweeney was to give Dobby a whole 2 games into his new two year contract? Laughable.

Damnit we should have signed Chad Johnson!

Is that how it works?

 

[bp13]

Couldn't disagree anymore unless you have a crystal ball

Zane McIntyre is unquestionably one the best young goalies in the AHL you had to go with him

Bill, I love yah man but you are diverting this away from Claude

Claudes a great coach but he's in trouble and you sense it. I understand but don't worry he will be in Ottawa next year and will get a 5 minute standing ovation first game back

As for third line center they got third line centers all over the place

And you're diverting it away from Sweeney.

This team had a dog**** defense last season and all he did to improve it was add a rookie who was great for two months but has predictably slipped. Moreover, he spent big on Backes and he's been mediocre at best. His other acquisitions (Hayes, Beleskey, Nash, Liles, Moore) have ranged from mediocre to horrible, excluding only Moore.

Quite simply, the coach perhaps could be getting more from these guys, perhaps not. But the effort Sweeney has put into improving this roster has clearly not been enough, and way too high a percentage of his signings/acquisitions have sucked. And again, if you want to claim he won the deals where he acquired futures, fine. Time will tell. But if he's truly been trying to build a roster to compete now, and the Backes signing is evidence, as was keeping Loui, then he's doing a lousy job at it.

 

[LouJersey]

Enroth is another guy I would have taken a flyer on. He makes $750k and is a UFA in a few months. In 150+ NHL games he has a .910 save pct. Ana traded for him when they had a goalie injury and then sent him down when they were healthy. Could he have helped here? What's the downside to trying?

I also think the crystal ball stuff is off the mark. I'm speaking about deals that actually happened because folks wanted to use that basis to prove there were no viable options. But really, the point I was hteying to make was that deals were made. Regardless of the names and who worked out or didn't work out, we didn't even try somebody. That's disappointing to me. You never know when you might catch lightning in a bottle. These kinds of deals weren't costly. What would have been the downside to plucking Enroth (or someone similar) off waivers? Or giving up future considerations for a Holland or someone of that ilk? Why not try a few things?

2 games into the Dobby Years 2.0 you would have been ok with giving up a 5th round pick for another back up?

 

[Gordoff]

Enroth is another guy I would have taken a flyer on. He makes $750k and is a UFA in a few months. In 150+ NHL games he has a .910 save pct. Ana traded for him when they had a goalie injury and then sent him down when they were healthy. Could he have helped here? What's the downside to trying?

I also think the crystal ball stuff is off the mark. I'm speaking about deals that actually happened because folks wanted to use that basis to prove there were no viable options. But really, the point I was hteying to make was that deals were made. Regardless of the names and who worked out or didn't work out, we didn't even try somebody. That's disappointing to me. You never know when you might catch lightning in a bottle. These kinds of deals weren't costly. What would have been the downside to plucking Enroth (or someone similar) off waivers? Or giving up future considerations for a Holland or someone of that ilk? Why not try a few things?

FEAR!

 

[LouJersey]

I think (and correct me if I'm wrong Bill Playmakers) is that the B's front office has a lack of imagination, of looking beyond the easy move and the ability to see things from a different, fresh perspective.
DS needs to come here and see all of his options and maybe he'll get a couple of good ideas (or not).

He had played two games. Now let's trade a 5th round pick for another backup? He was signed for 1.2 million per. Had it been a season ending injury or a Craig Anderson situation then yeah, I hear you.

 

[Boston Bruno]

He had played two games. Now let's trade a 5th round pick for another backup? He was signed for 1.2 million per. Had it been a season ending injury or a Craig Anderson situation then yeah, I hear you.

Dont even have a 5th after acquiring Liles last year.

Wait till round 2 of the draft and the realisation that we gave up our second this year for Lee Stempniak hits.

Ouch.

 

[DKH]

That group seems to have been mostly wrong so far in their analysis of this team.

Maybe try eating at Olive Garden.

These are many of the fine folks I met in the Bruins Prague trip. We keep up and get together

We move around to many places from Dolphin in Natick to the North End

By the way Mike the majority seems to think you are as well