News Article: Fluto: Bruins GM Don Sweeney hasn’t ruled out a coaching change

[smithformeragent]

The way I read into this is that the mandate comes from above.

Pure speculation/inference on my part.

Ownership tells Neely/Sweeney "Make the playoffs or else."

Management realizes their ***** are on the line, excuses aside.
I think that Sweeney realizes that they're all gone if they fail to make the playoffs.
The mandate comes from ownership to take the "retool/reload" approach as opposed to the full rebuild.

Fair or not, it's make the playoffs or else.
Dangerous way to operate IMO as this is when shortsighted mistakes get made such as axing an asset like a great coach get made out of desperation.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

"Legit talent" like a.....
Top 5 goalie? Tuukka
Top 5 Selkie type? Bergy
Hot young goal scorer? Pasta
Solid top line consistent goal scorer? Marshy
Top dressing room and on Ice Leaders and Captains? Big Z and Backes
Top shut down D-man? Big Z
Really great depth at center? Krejci, Bregy, Backes, Spooner, Moore.


This roster maybe a few moves away from being a Stanley Cup favorite but by no means is it lacking "legit talent".

A roster is twenty bodies. They need 'legit talent' in more than five of them.

 

[DKH]

The way I read into this is that the mandate comes from above.

Pure speculation/inference on my part.

Ownership tells Neely/Sweeney "Make the playoffs or else."

Management realizes their ***** are on the line, excuses aside.
I think that Sweeney realizes that they're all gone if they fail to make the playoffs.
The mandate comes from ownership to take the "retool/reload" approach as opposed to the full rebuild.

Fair or not, it's make the playoffs or else.
Dangerous way to operate IMO as this is when shortsighted mistakes get made such as axing an asset like a great coach get made out of desperation.

I don't see it that way and not what I'm hearing but you may be right

I'm pretty confident even if they miss Sweeney is 100% safe - going with where I got this; Neely I can't speak. The Bruins have continued to restructure their organization and you think quality people are coming in with an HF take? Um that would be an emphatic no. Sorry kiddies but that's the way it is

Claude's on the hot seat not Sweeney

I hate to crush so many of the experts here but Charlie Jacobs knows a hell of lot more about hockey than most of you

Many here have it backwards

The old man is saying what he has to but pocket Jacobs knows they are trying to answer two masters - compete and reload

 

[GloryDaze4877]

The way I read into this is that the mandate comes from above.

Pure speculation/inference on my part.

Ownership tells Neely/Sweeney "Make the playoffs or else."

Management realizes their ***** are on the line, excuses aside.
I think that Sweeney realizes that they're all gone if they fail to make the playoffs.
The mandate comes from ownership to take the "retool/reload" approach as opposed to the full rebuild.

Fair or not, it's make the playoffs or else.
Dangerous way to operate IMO as this is when shortsighted mistakes get made such as axing an asset like a great coach get made out of desperation.

I think you are way off base.

If they don't make the playoffs, there will be changes, but I don't think "they're all gone".

Julien? Probably.

Neely? Doubtful.

Seeeney? Unlikely


If anything, not making the playoffs probably strengthens Sweeney's position. If the rumors/theories are true that Neely is more of the win now guy and Sweeney wants to develop, the past 2 (or 3) seasons merely points out how difficult it is to restock the shelves and win at the same time.

 

[Number8]

I don't see it that way and not what I'm hearing but you may be right

I'm pretty confident even if they miss Sweeney is 100% safe - going with where I got this; Neely I can't speak. The Bruins have continued to restructure their organization and you think quality people are coming in with an HF take? Um that would be an emphatic no. Sorry kiddies but that's the way it is

Claude's on the hot seat not Sweeney

I hate to crush so many of the experts here but Charlie Jacobs knows a hell of lot more about hockey than most of you

Many here have it backwards

The old man is saying what he has to but pocket Jacobs knows they are trying to answer two masters - compete and reload

Serious question, what makes you say that? I don't know - hence why I'm asking.

I will say (he's an embarassingly bad public speaker) that it he is hockey saavy, with all due respects he keeps that fact well hidden.

 

[DKH]

Serious question, what makes you say that? I don't know - hence why I'm asking.

I will say (he's an embarassingly bad public speaker) that it he is hockey saavy, with all due respects he keeps that fact well hidden.

I am going back out to do my driveway but I'll send you a PM during 1 pm football game

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Serious question, what makes you say that? I don't know - hence why I'm asking.

I will say (he's an embarassingly bad public speaker) that it he is hockey saavy, with all due respects he keeps that fact well hidden.

I would think that someone in his position, having his life tract (son of the owner of the Bruins) would have quite a bit of knowledge about the game at the NHL level.

 

[smithformeragent]

It may not be an immediate dismissal, but I feel like if Clode goes, then the hot seat shifts to Newley and Sweeney and the clock is then ticking on both of them.

How much longer could they possibly get?

 

[Oates2Neely]

It may not be an immediate dismissal, but I feel like if Clode goes, then the hot seat shifts to Newley and Sweeney and the clock is then ticking on both of them.

How much longer could they possibly get?

Sweeney hasn't been in charge 3 years yet.

 

[4ORRBRUIN]

It may not be an immediate dismissal, but I feel like if Clode goes, then the hot seat shifts to Newley and Sweeney and the clock is then ticking on both of them.

How much longer could they possibly get?

At least until the halfway point of next year with DS if they show no progress with his vision. Cams days are numbered regardless

 

[Number8]

I am going back out to do my driveway but I'll send you a PM during 1 pm football game

Cool. Thanks Dan. Lift with the knees, not the back!!!

 

[Btown]

A roster is twenty bodies. They need 'legit talent' in more than five of them.

Remember you cant have over 5 million at every roster spot. You need lesser and cheaper talent to fill bottom pairing D-men and bottom 2 offensive lines. We have "legit" bottom D-men (to many actually). We have "legit" fourth line grinders and penelty killers. Sure we have passangers (Hayes) but to say Claude has nothing to work with is just plain lazy. Theres holes to be filled like every team but you improvise and juggle and out coach opposing teams and get your players to buy in and over proform from time to time. Status Quo and mediocrity is becoming accapted and I wont accept the easy answer of we dont have "legit players".

 

[NeelyDan]

I just really, really like Claude Julien and don't want to see him go.

I also think he's a fantastic coach, and extracts maximum value from a roster that is clearly sub-par.

For those still clinging to the 'he doesn't play the kids' schtick, I can't even take you seriously. As though he has a choice anymore. Ridiculous.

A lot of you equate change like this to a change in the team's fortunes, and that is not necessarily going to be the case. Could it be? Sure. Enough to make a tangible difference all other things remaining static? Nope.

 

[DKH]

I just really, really like Claude Julien and don't want to see him go.

I also think he's a fantastic coach, and extracts maximum value from a roster that is clearly sub-par.

For those still clinging to the 'he doesn't play the kids' schtick, I can't even take you seriously. As though he has a choice anymore. Ridiculous.

A lot of you equate change like this to a change in the team's fortunes, and that is not necessarily going to be the case. Could it be? Sure. Enough to make a tangible difference all other things remaining static? Nope.

I got good news for you the Bruins are in churn mode and look like they are getting ready to go on a little run - Claude will be here through the end st least and let's see how they do in the spring

Bergeron-Marchand got that look

Krejci playing well

This D is actually underrated

Feeling good success over the next couple of months

 

[Dicky113]

Someone should be fired for fanning on 3 1st round picks a couple of years ago with so much talent on the board, but it isn't Claude. Just depressing to see how stacked we could have been with smart drafting, and frustrating because most of us fans would have done much better with those picks.

You can only coach what you are given to work with. The bruins Lineup is not a playoff lineup, how they are hanging around with that D corps is mind blowing. How can you possible blame a coach for squeezing this much blood from that stone?

 

[missingchicklet]

This is one of those articles that has a get-your-attention headline but there's really no meat behind the sizzle.

The headline makes it sound like a coaching change is something they're considering, but you read the article, and Sweeney makes it sound like the only reason he's talking about it is because the interviewer won't stop asking. "I'm not avoiding the question..." In other words, I didn't bring this up, I don't even want to talk about it, but since you won't shut up, sure, we have to look at all ways to improve...

I think he's being honest that they'd like to see better starts, but he follows that up by saying he gives the coaching staff a ton of credit for how they're preparing. (So what's he saying, the slow starts are more on the players?)

I think he's correct in saying they need to be better on the PP, but he also says that's improved lately.

Then he really shifts the blame onto the players and their inability to score... He talks about them not hitting the net, so many lost scoring chances... He talks about the players lack of courage/conviction to go for rebounds...

Which IMO, brings the focus (and the blame) back on Sweeney and his ability (or inability) to make a trade that helps the team. I credit Sweeney for being accountable, but I also think the criticism is fair there too.


OT: It also makes the choice to target Landeskog over Duchene clearer to me. If it was me, I'd look at Duchene, but if they really believe this team needs more grit/guts to get to the dirty areas and score dirty goals then Lando has it over Duchene on that barometer.

I read the article before I read through this thread. I agree with your take. I don't see any smoke here. If anything I see a GM who is giving a pretty accurate take on what is going on and is saying everyone is working on it. The GM speak I'm seeing is actually pretty supportive of Claude and laying any blame in other places. He kind of has to say nothing is off the table given that the team is not setting the world on fire.

I also think Gee Wally makes a very good point about a potential coaching carousel. There is a very short list coaches who are as good as Claude and they are all employed by other teams right now. Hiring one lesser coach after another is not the way to go.

The malarkey about Claude not playing kids and not being flexible is silly. He actually is playing quite a few kids while at the same time being saddled with some ineffective vets thrust onto him by management, all the while trying to make it into the playoffs. Not to mention he was given a backup goalie who won one game in seven starts. The team is about where I expected them to be given the roster at the start of the season. Rask's Vezina-worthy performance has probably counteracted the lack of a decent backup and Carlo's overachieving has to some extent counteracted the lack of going out and getting a top four d-man. Management should consider itself somewhat lucky that those two things have happened to mask their mistakes/lack of action.

DS' comments are pretty much on the money. I just hope ownership has the patience to not panic and to give things a chance to develop. I do think it would be wise to can two people if any heads are to roll: 1) Sacco--get a new look on the PP by bringing in someone who can be more effective; and 2) Neely--get a new voice in management to work with Sweeney and company. Other than that the Bs should stay the course. Whether ownership wants to admit it or not, this is a bit of a rebuild and will take at minimum another year or two to show results.

 

[Number8]

I would think that someone in his position, having his life tract (son of the owner of the Bruins) would have quite a bit of knowledge about the game at the NHL level.

I would agree, however Charlie has struck me as a deer in the headlights novice that never seems to improve over time. That said, that's based SOLELY on seeing him speak - or attempt to - on several occasions.

I freely admit that I've never met him and know very little about him. He seems dim to me, hence my honest question to Dan. Maybe there's more to him.

Any comments I have on Charlie are opinions and nothing else. I could be completely wrong.

 

[SPLBRUIN]

I just really, really like Claude Julien and don't want to see him go.

I also think he's a fantastic coach, and extracts maximum value from a roster that is clearly sub-par.

For those still clinging to the 'he doesn't play the kids' schtick, I can't even take you seriously. As though he has a choice anymore. Ridiculous.

A lot of you equate change like this to a change in the team's fortunes, and that is not necessarily going to be the case. Could it be? Sure. Enough to make a tangible difference all other things remaining static? Nope.

I'm still surprised that the B's haven't offered Julien a lifetime contract. Perhaps it has to do with that 2014 team that was supposed to be a legit cup contender missing the playoffs or the complete meltdown in the late stages of 2015 including a humiliating end of season loss to an injury depleted Sens that cost the B's a playoff spot. Small details though, Sweeney should be looking at getting CJ inked to that lifetime contract, after all, the B's struggles have nothing to do with Julien, it's on everyone else.

 

[Spooner st]

I'm still surprised that the B's haven't offered Julien a lifetime contract. Perhaps it has to do with that 2014 team that was supposed to be a legit cup contender missing the playoffs or the complete meltdown in the late stages of 2015 including a humiliating end of season loss to an injury depleted Sens that cost the B's a playoff spot. Small details though, Sweeney should be looking at getting CJ inked to that lifetime contract, after all, the B's struggles have nothing to do with Julien, it's on everyone else.

Finally.. we agree on something.

 

[BMC]

Exactly. You get dead cat bounce. Maybe.
There were 6 coaches in the 10 years preceeding him and I believe another 6 coaches in the 10 years before that.
12 coaches in 20 years. Harry loved changing coaches and never won a ****ing thing. His favorite word in describing his roster - ' adequate '.


Harry had 18 coaches in 30 years including himself.

Just the thing I want to live through again.

Not.

 

[the overrated]

I don't see it that way and not what I'm hearing but you may be right

I'm pretty confident even if they miss Sweeney is 100% safe - going with where I got this; Neely I can't speak. The Bruins have continued to restructure their organization and you think quality people are coming in with an HF take? Um that would be an emphatic no. Sorry kiddies but that's the way it is

Claude's on the hot seat not Sweeney

I hate to crush so many of the experts here but Charlie Jacobs knows a hell of lot more about hockey than most of you

Many here have it backwards

The old man is saying what he has to but pocket Jacobs knows they are trying to answer two masters - compete and reload

If Neely gets relieved of duties, there's a legit chance that Sweeney will, too. Why would a new President want to retain the GM that the former President chose? I don't think it's a definite, nor am I pining for it, but I do think that a new President (especially if it's an outside hire) would evaluate all options, and going with a GM that is "his guy" is something that I think most President's worth their salt would consider.

I think you are way off base.

If they don't make the playoffs, there will be changes, but I don't think "they're all gone".

Julien? Probably.

Neely? Doubtful.

Seeeney? Unlikely


If anything, not making the playoffs probably strengthens Sweeney's position. If the rumors/theories are true that Neely is more of the win now guy and Sweeney wants to develop, the past 2 (or 3) seasons merely points out how difficult it is to restock the shelves and win at the same time.

If this team misses the PO for the third year in a row, and the only thing they do is fire the coach, I'd shake my head. It'd take more than a new face behind the bench to change the atmosphere there.

I'd personally put Sweeney as the safest of the three (barring the situation that I referenced above, to DKH) but Neely's position should most assuredly be in question if they're golfing in April again this year.

 

[Era of Sanity]

I believe it is only Claude that is on the hot seat.

Neely/Sweeney will be given a few more years. If we aren't a good team within 2 or 3 more seasons they need to be axed, if we are good ride with them.

 

[Heisenberg77]

I believe it is only Claude that is on the hot seat.

Neely/Sweeney will be given a few more years. If we aren't a good team within 2 or 3 more seasons they need to be axed, if we are good ride with them.

Agreed. We have a ton of good youth coming up in the next few years. I doubt Neely goes anywhere and Sweeney absolutely not (unless Neely were gone).

 

[DKH]

Ummm Charlie Jacobs's at the draft going on stage announcing the picks on stage.

Gee I wonder if he talks to anyone there or they bubble wrap him until the picks are announced

Hmmm do they talk about players being picked and why and what the plan with.

Bruins fans disappoint me.

Come on folks use some common sense here

Jacobs knows this takes time

Again Charlie Jacobs is a hell of a lot smarter than 80% of Bruins fans at least going by what I'm reading

 

[Over the volcano]

If they fire Claude he is instantly the best available coach - they should hire THAT guy.