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

[Mpasta]

Look...it's perfectly acceptable to say you don't think Claude is the right guy for a retool. That could easily be correct. But let's not forget the GM who re-signed Kevan Miller AND Adam McQuaid to deals when he took over, when HE was arguing to go younger. He signed those guys. And last offseason, HE re-signed Liles. So he basically gave the coach 3 mediocre vets on NHL deals who were not being paid to sit, to go with Chara and Krug on defense. There's one spot left for a kid. ONE!!!

I could easily argue that the GM is in lockstep with the coach not to instill many kids on that defense, at least not this season. And yet CJ will end up bearing the full blame for that because "Clode hates da kids!!!".

Every argument is ruined once you quote the Claude hates kids narrative whether you believe in it or against it.

However, I'm not giving Sweeney a pass on signing both Miller and Mcquaid. I'm also not giving him a pass on not trading Loui and trading away our pick at the trade deadline last year. Those are moves I didn't agree with.

However,our defense isn't the issue this season. It's the offense. And I know that you personally didn't think this team would be any good this year with the roster, but there were many who thought we would either win the division or finish 2nd or 3rd. The reason those people thought that was because of our offense.

 

[ODAAT]

Julien is getting the axe this year if we miss the playoffs, or perhaps even before. Management is lining up to throw him under the bus.

some fans too

 

[chizzler]

Every argument is ruined once you quote the Claude hates kids narrative whether you believe in it or against it.

However, I'm not giving Sweeney a pass on signing both Miller and Mcquaid. I'm also not giving him a pass on not trading Loui and trading away our pick at the trade deadline last year. Those are moves I didn't agree with.

However,our defense isn't the issue this season. It's the offense. And I know that you personally didn't think this team would be any good this year with the roster, but there were many who thought we would either win the division or finish 2nd or 3rd. The reason those people thought that was because of our offense.

Hou know that wasn't his choice. Think ownership meddling. Need that playoff $$$$

 

[the overrated]

This is a very interesting analogy, but not sure how accurate.

The way I heard it was that the B's were negotiating with Team Dougie and when they didn't get a response to their last offer, they figured something was up, and moved on. The story also goes that Team Dougie torpedoed one deal the B's has in the works because he didn't want to sign there and that the Calgary deal was made under the condition that they not talk to his agents.

Not sure how much of that is true, but I'm not seeing your crush/prom comparison.

I guess I am wondering why it was allowed to get to that point, so close to the draft. Once it was starting to become obvious that Hamilton wasn't going to sign here, they should have started to pursue other options sooner. And if we are saying that it wasn't actually obvious that he wasn't signing here, it would have at least been known that he was a petulant man-child that hated being scolded (which is what DKH was saying) and thus the team should've started to move on long before then.

And with more time, they maybe could've worked out a 3-way deal or something comparable.

The prom analogy was entirely for my amusement, since it seemed like Sweeney wanted him here & Hamilton didn't want to be here.

I had a spike in esteem I have better sources than front office. Thanks overrated, I appreciate the kind words

You've made me laugh plenty of times, DKH. Glad to repay a bit.

 

[KrejciMVP]

Charlie Jacobs and Neely are the problem IMO

 

[TheReal13Linseman]

I don't think it's unfair to question his record. Sweeney doesn't suck, but he hasn't exactly been perfect either. He didn't trade Hamilton for prospects, it was draft picks. And he hasn't added a single roster player with the impact of those he traded away.

Part of that is cap. But part of it is also a failure to land that big player. I don't believe that the roster has felt "complete" in several years.

I like that he has a draft strategy. I like that he has a vision for the team. I like that he's not Chiarelli in that sense.

He's been good... Not great.

He's been fair, not good. Whose idea was it to bring on 27-year-old doughboy Beleskey for 5 years at $19 Mil?

Just as it's not all Sweeney's fault, neither is it all Clode's fault. And I thought this thread was discussing whether Clode goes or not.

The fact remains, and no one has really refuted it, that it's not axiomatic that a new coach would do better than Clode would in the 2, 3, or 4 years from now when all our draft picks come alive...and when we'll have Bergeron and Backes (if he can even make it physically) that much older.

Has the game changed that much since 2011?

 

[missingchicklet]

Has the game changed that much since 2011?

Nope, but the Bruin's roster and talent level sure has.

 

[GloveSave1]

I'm not buying it. If he was going to axe Clode he would have done it by now. Sure, if the Bruins face plant - but other than that I think DS is in on Clode right until the axe falls on everybody. I don't see DS thinking that some panic move will get them into the playoffs. If he did, he would have done it in the off season.

I'm personally torn on it, I believe there isn't a better coach available, but I also think many of the players have tuned him out - and aren't "buying in" to the degree nessesary for it to really work. Part of me thinks taking the reigns off the horses might energize guys that have been living under a taskmaster for a long time. But on the other hand, the Bruins are working with some youngsters and a handful of duds that aren't Clodes fault, but hurt him. Clode can win with the right mix, we know it.

In the end, I'm for keeping the best coach we can get. To me, it's mostly about getting rid of the speed bumps (Hayes, K.Miller, McQuaid, Nash, etc.)...that takes time.

Just not sure DS, Neely, and Clode as a group have more than this season. If they don't make the playoffs...anything goes.

Oh...and bring in a assistant who can teach how to finish and get a rebound on the stick...what's Dave Andreychuk up to these days? Heh

 

[chizzler]

I'm not buying it. If he was going to axe Clode he would have done it by now. Sure, if the Bruins face plant - but other than that I think DS is in on Clode right until the axe falls on everybody. I don't see DS thinking that some panic move will get them into the playoffs. If he did, he would have done it in the off season.

I'm personally torn on it, I believe there isn't a better coach available, but I also think many of the players have tuned him out - and aren't "buying in" to the degree nessesary for it to really work. Part of me thinks taking the reigns off the horses might energize guys that have been living under a taskmaster for a long time. But on the other hand, the Bruins are working with some youngsters and a handful of duds that aren't Clodes fault, but hurt him. Clode can win with the right mix, we know it.

In the end, I'm for keeping the best coach we can get. To me, it's mostly about getting rid of the speed bumps (Hayes, K.Miller, McQuaid, Nash, etc.)...that takes time.

Just not sure DS, Neely, and Clode as a group have more than this season. If they don't make the playoffs...anything goes.

Oh...and bring in a assistant who can teach how to finish and get a rebound on the stick...what's Dave Andreychuk up to these days? Heh

Good post.

 

[BruinsPortugal]

I dont see it either. Claude gives Sweeney a good chance at immediate success(as in, make the playoffs). He is a good coach with a system in place, so Sweeney kind of needs him to stay competitive instead of going with a new face and all the risk that is inherent. If Sweeney fires Claude and the new coach falls flat on his face, Sweeney is gone. With Claude he can always buy time, which is what he's been doing for a year.

 

[Fierce1]

Julien is a good coach and wouldn't be unemployed long if fired but I believe his shelf life is up here in Boston. You just don't get to miss the playoffs three years in a row and expect to keep your job. The Bruins are not making the playoffs, if they were hungry and played with drive every night I think they could do it but most nights all I see is a comfortable complacent core going through the motions.

Most GM's get to fire at least one coach before getting axed themselves. Firing Julien is the only card Sweeney has left to play. If he does it now and we still miss the playoffs then Sweeney has only to wait for his own walking papers in the offseason. If Sweeney waits to the end of the season he may have a slim chance of keeping his own job.

 

[Sharp Shooting Neely]

Smartest post here but...I'm reading be fired while half his first draft class are teenagers

I can't imagine posters here finding out babies take 9 months to be born

I figure by month 3 they've determined their kid will be a failure

When the kid is actually born it will be a few years of teaching the kid to walk and talk. That will immediately be followed by several years of asking for the kid to just be quiet and sit down. The final stage is to demand that the kid must now pack the bags as you have had enough and it's high time you find a new place to live. If only the kid could have been more like out neighbours kid life would have be been so much better

BAME! Big news!! There is now another kid on the way! This one will definetly be different.

 

[Daishi]

Charlie Jacobs and Neely are the problem IMO

No truer words were ever spoken

 

[bbfan419]

If there is a change this season, I doubt it will be Claude going during the season, DS may have been referring to Sacco, much easier to get rid if an assistant coach in season I would think.

 

[hoss75]

Julien will be fired if they don't make the playoffs, whether he is the problem or not.
I personally think management is to blame, though. Impact players have been leaving and not replaced.
Development of young guys (which Clode is supposedly horrible at) has been one of the only things keeping this team in the race.

2016
Our second leading scorer (Loui Eriksson) walked for nothing.
Big name prospect. Koko walked for nothing. (I had zero problem with him leaving, but thought we could have gotten something for him and he seemed to want to be traded).
2015
trade away Milan Lucic (tied for 3rd in points) for Martin Jones and Miller and pick
Trade away Martin Jones for pick and prospect
Trade Dougie Hamilton (tied for 4th in points) for picks
Trade Soderberg (tied for 3rd in points) away for picks
2014
J Iginla (tied for first in goals) walks for nothing.
trade away Johnny Boychuk for picks.

I'm not saying that all these were bad moves or that all or even any of these people should stay. Rather I'm just pointing out impact guys have been leaving and not much has been done to replace it in trade. I also realize that you can't just go out and get a game changing player. But over 3 years I'd think management could have pulled a little more than Backes.

 

[ODAAT]

Julien will be fired if they don't make the playoffs, whether he is the problem or not.
I personally think management is to blame, though. Impact players have been leaving and not replaced.
Development of young guys (which Clode is supposedly horrible at) has been one of the only things keeping this team in the race.

2016
Our second leading scorer (Loui Eriksson) walked for nothing.
Big name prospect. Koko walked for nothing.
2015
trade away Milan Lucic (tied for 3rd in points) for Martin Jones and Miller and pick
Trade away Martin Jones for pick and prospect
Trade Dougie Hamilton (tied for 4th in points) for picks
Trade Soderberg (tied for 3rd in points) away for picks
2014
J Iginla (tied for first in goals) walks for nothing.
trade away Johnny Boychuk for picks.

I'm not saying that all these were bad moves or that all or even any of these people should stay. Rather I'm just pointing out impact guys have been leaving and not much has been done to replace it in trade. I also realize that you can't just go out and get a game changing player. But over 3 years I'd think management could have pulled a little more than Backes.

Koko was a "big name prospect"?

Don`t necessarily disagree with some other names mentioned. Losing JB was the toughie, had Seids not been injured again prior to the season ending and heading into the summer, my guess is Sweeney would have sent him elsewhere rather than JB but nobody would have wanted DS

I have no issues with the B`s not paying Iggy big money

 

[Therick67]

Julien will be fired if they don't make the playoffs, whether he is the problem or not.
I personally think management is to blame, though. Impact players have been leaving and not replaced.
Development of young guys (which Clode is supposedly horrible at) has been one of the only things keeping this team in the race.

2016
Our second leading scorer (Loui Eriksson) walked for nothing.
Big name prospect. Koko walked for nothing. (I had zero problem with him leaving, but thought we could have gotten something for him and he seemed to want to be traded).
2015
trade away Milan Lucic (tied for 3rd in points) for Martin Jones and Miller and pick
Trade away Martin Jones for pick and prospect
Trade Dougie Hamilton (tied for 4th in points) for picks
Trade Soderberg (tied for 3rd in points) away for picks
2014
J Iginla (tied for first in goals) walks for nothing.
trade away Johnny Boychuk for picks.

I'm not saying that all these were bad moves or that all or even any of these people should stay. Rather I'm just pointing out impact guys have been leaving and not much has been done to replace it in trade. I also realize that you can't just go out and get a game changing player. But over 3 years I'd think management could have pulled a little more than Backes.

These picks better be good, because they are certainly counting on some big hits.

 

[ODAAT]

Neely speaks!!!!! Doesn`t say much but he speaks


http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/...uins_performance_it_s_been_a_frustrating_year

 

[Ten Thousand Hours]

Julien will be fired if they don't make the playoffs, whether he is the problem or not.
I personally think management is to blame, though. Impact players have been leaving and not replaced.
Development of young guys (which Clode is supposedly horrible at) has been one of the only things keeping this team in the race.

2016
Our second leading scorer (Loui Eriksson) walked for nothing.
Big name prospect. Koko walked for nothing. (I had zero problem with him leaving, but thought we could have gotten something for him and he seemed to want to be traded).
2015
trade away Milan Lucic (tied for 3rd in points) for Martin Jones and Miller and pick
Trade away Martin Jones for pick and prospect
Trade Dougie Hamilton (tied for 4th in points) for picks
Trade Soderberg (tied for 3rd in points) away for picks
2014
J Iginla (tied for first in goals) walks for nothing.
trade away Johnny Boychuk for picks.

I'm not saying that all these were bad moves or that all or even any of these people should stay. Rather I'm just pointing out impact guys have been leaving and not much has been done to replace it in trade. I also realize that you can't just go out and get a game changing player. But over 3 years I'd think management could have pulled a little more than Backes.

I actually think, overall, we've turned guys over well and gotten value. There are individual moves that can be questioned (not trading Loui for one), but which group would you rather have today?

Lucic
Hamilton
Boychuk
Iginla
Eriksson
Soderberg
Khokhlachev

Or

Zboril
Colin Miller
Trent Frederic
Senyshyn
Forsbacka-Karlsson
Lauzon
Carlo
Lindgren
Maybe add Backes to this list

 

[Therick67]

I actually think, overall, we've turned guys over well and gotten value. There are individual moves that can be questioned (not trading Loui for one), but which group would you rather have today?

Lucic
Hamilton
Boychuk
Iginla
Eriksson
Soderberg
Khokhlachev

Or

Zboril
Colin Miller
Trent Frederic
Senyshyn
Forsbacka-Karlsson
Lauzon
Carlo
Lindgren
Maybe add Backes to this list

Today? The top list is actual NHL players. In a year or two, I hope it's the bottom list by a mile.

Only time will tell, but until this team starts drafting and developing on a consistent basis, I'm not going to assume all these guys are going to be stars.

 

[DKH]

Every argument is ruined once you quote the Claude hates kids narrative whether you believe in it or against it.

However, I'm not giving Sweeney a pass on signing both Miller and Mcquaid. I'm also not giving him a pass on not trading Loui and trading away our pick at the trade deadline last year. Those are moves I didn't agree with.

However,our defense isn't the issue this season. It's the offense. And I know that you personally didn't think this team would be any good this year with the roster, but there were many who thought we would either win the division or finish 2nd or 3rd. The reason those people thought that was because of our offense.

30 GMs would not have traded Eriksson for futures

Kevan Miller has been very good this year. He's playing to that contract

 

[Ten Thousand Hours]

Today? The top list is actual NHL players. In a year or two, I hope it's the bottom list by a mile.

Only time will tell, but until this team starts drafting and developing on a consistent basis, I'm not going to assume all these guys are going to be stars.

I don't mean who helps the current team win most today. I mean which group would you rather have in your organization, starting today, moving forward?

I'd take the bottom group without much hesitation.

 

[hoss75]

I mean which group would you rather have in your organization, starting today, moving forward?

I'd take the bottom group without much hesitation.

While you make a good point, if Sweeny thinks the same way then this should be considered a rebuild year and CJ's job shouldn't be in question.

 

[Therick67]

I don't mean who helps the current team win most today. I mean which group would you rather have in your organization, starting today, moving forward?

I'd take the bottom group without much hesitation.

We really don't have much choice.

People seem to be pretty confident that these prospects are going to be sure fire NHL'ers. I hope when pressure comes from the Owner, these kids are ready and can handle it.

 

[Mpasta]

30 GMs would not have traded Eriksson for futures

Kevan Miller has been very good this year. He's playing to that contract

Obviously you're going to defend just about every move Sweeney makes so it's pointless to argue. There's things I like and dislike about Sweeney. More positive than negative. For instance, I don't agree with many of his draft picks but I do agree with how he acquired those draft picks.