Post-Game Talk: FULL VIDEO - Jacobs, Neely and Sweeney - 4/23/25

[DKH]

Was discussing this with a few buds this morning and the problem is

Majority of Bruins fans can’t grasp they have a top Line and top D pairing and tanked last 33 days

They can’t deal with 33 days that netted them 2 firsts, 2 seconds, 2 forths, prospects and current NHL players a top 5 pick

In March they were a pedestrian 30-28-8 85 point pace and blew- it -the-F- up

They went 3-12-2

33 days of incredible suffering - actually 30; they beat Carolina 5-1, Pittsburgh 4-1, and Devils 7-2.

 

[Sheppy]

There is only one team in the NHL this past season that was Top 5 in both hits and fights (2nd in fights with 30, 3rd in hits with 2168). The same team that was 30th in pts % from December 5th onward.

Cam Neely's Boston Bruins.

So they iced arguably the best combination they've had in years in terms of fighting and hitting and had their worst season of the salary cap era and one of the worst seasons of my lifetime, only topped by 1996-97 and 2005-06 debacles.

They have to start taking a more balanced approach to drafting and player acquisition.

I agree, however the physical guys they brought in weren't issues on this team. Zadorov, I'd argue was one of the bright spots on defense. I know some people won't like to hear that, but it's true.

I'm all for a balanced approach and it would be nice to get a physical guy or two in your top 9 that can contribute on the score sheet too. There's no benefit to having all of your physicality coming from a 4th line.

 

[DKH]

There is only one team in the NHL this past season that was Top 5 in both hits and fights (2nd in fights with 30, 3rd in hits with 2168). The same team that was 30th in pts % from December 5th onward.

Cam Neely's Boston Bruins.

So they iced arguably the best combination they've had in years in terms of fighting and hitting and had their worst season of the salary cap era and one of the worst seasons of my lifetime, only topped by 1996-97 and 2005-06 debacles.

They have to start taking a more balanced approach to drafting and player acquisition.

The last 5 weeks was a tank job ~ it got then 1-7 in the draft

They could have trudges along got 87 points and it wouldn’t have been so painful for you

 

[EverettMike]

I don't see how he's wrong. We're talking about an Original 6 franchise that has a long, long history of being stable and competitive. Just happened to have had one of its worst seasons since the YearsWeDontMention. Any coach worth half a grain of salt and has even the slightest bit of competitiveness left in his, or her, bones is going think, "I got this. I'm the one that's going to turn that organization back into what it should be". Every. Single.One.

It's about tone.

"I'm not worried about finding a great coach thrilled to coach an Original 6 franchise" is both the same thing he said but also dramatically different from how he said it.

(But I do actually think some very good candidates won't want the job, not that no good candidate will.)

 

[BruinDust]

The last 5 weeks was a tank job ~ it got then 1-7 in the draft

They could have trudges along got 87 points and it wouldn’t have been so painful for you

I said back in November that they needed to turn things around quick because once the calendar hit January 1st, the road got a lot tougher. The quality of competition was about to go up. This was no tank job.

 

[Hookslide]

I know someone who has been waiting for years to get ST and still cannot because of the wait list. I know many who have ST, and I only know of one who gave up their seats after this bad season.

Many STH realize this season sucked but KNOW it will get better. I have ALWAYS been able to sell my seats, and I had tickets 23 years ago when the Bs truly sucked for a few seasons in a row. Until this season they have been in the playoff mix for a number of years.

So, if you don't want to go to games DON'T. I doubt this will hurt Jacob's feelings or wallet. In fact, don't watch the Bs on TV either. No one will care.

Now if the Bs suck for several seasons this will change but for now the Garden has been full.

No one should give up their season tickets for one season, they are too hard to get. I do suggest to give a message by not buying their overpriced merch, and certainly not the beer and food.

 

[GordonHowe]

It could be and all circumstances leads to decisions that you make and live with, but considering it will be 4 in 4 years and two of them have gone on to become very successful elsewhere, has me thinking its more than just those coaches who are at fault. Now every coach has their shelf life and once you lose the room its time, so Sweeney could use that as a reason for Cassidy, but he won a cup shortly there after so maybe it wasn't just him, but either way I do believe the Boston job is very appealing even with him being at the helm, but why be such a condescending ass in saying it.

His statement as saying “I want a coach that’s going to evolve a little bit offensively.” says a lot about the man who as the main architect of the Boston Bruins hasn't been able to acquire a top 6 forward for long term going on a decade+now. As I'm sure coaches would love some players that can finish and create offense, to help with that evolvement.

Well, he can't help himself. Prof. Sweenes gonna be #TSGITR.

He deserves great credit for giving Montgomery a second chance.

Not everyone would do that. Especially the insular Boston Bruins.

And I was open to Montgomery at the beginning.

In retrospect, they never should have hired Sunny Jim. He was never a fit in Boston. He was never the guy. I'm glad he's gone. All success in St Louis. Not.

I hear conflicting things about Cassidy.

A poster I respect related info from a trusted source that did not depict Butch in a favorable light. Then again, I hear from people like Conor Ryan or Evan Maranofsky or others I respect in the media, who believe he is a straight shooter. Tough, probably too much so. Demanding but fair.

I understand that he was a shouter. And I've heard from some who watched Cassidy deal with players up close that he could be very in your face and unpleasant. But unpleasant doesn't make you a bad coach. Hence the Stanley Cup up, as Bergeron predicted, the very next season in Vegas.


It certainly seems they are moving on from Joe Sacco.

I wish Joe well. He did the best he could given what he had. Any failure rests with Sweeney and Neely. Not Sacco.

Were I him I would high tail it out of Boston and hitch on with another organization.

It is probably too strong to say management has treated him shabbily. But he can do better.

And he deserves a legitimate chance to coach again in the NHL. He is not going to get that chance in Boston.

 

[Ladyfan]

No one should give up their season tickets for one season, they are too hard to get. I do suggest to give a message by not buying their overpriced merch, and certainly not the beer and food.

I only get a water. I don't buy stuff at the pro shop. I am not wealthy and spend enough on tickets.

People will do and buy whatever they will. I believe it is still a free country (for now)

When I first purchased my ST there were only 3000 STH. I think it would take a few very bad years to get that low again and IMHO it will be getting better. I was able to get my seats because times were bad for a few seasons.

 

[BruinDust]

I agree, however the physical guys they brought in weren't issues on this team. Zadorov, I'd argue was one of the bright spots on defense. I know some people won't like to hear that, but it's true.

I'm all for a balanced approach and it would be nice to get a physical guy or two in your top 9 that can contribute on the score sheet too. There's no benefit to having all of your physicality coming from a 4th line.

Zadorov was an issue under Monty, they said it themselves yesterday, running around, trying to do too much. Under Sacco he cleaned up his positioning and was decent the rest of the way. He's not the issue here. I'd argue he's not what they need to spend his cap space on last summer but with Carlo being moved out that is now a wash. We'll see if they add anyone to the right-side this summer but overall I feel the D-group is relatively balanced when healthy.

The forward group was a disaster and the main issue with last year's team. Unbalanced, slow, unskilled, not strong defensively, with a lot of bad players.

And they do need some physicality throughout the forward line-up. It's not realistic to expect it on all four lines as guys who are physical and can play are so hard to find. But like you said, it can't just be the 4th line only bringing the heat.

 

[wintersej]

For the thousandth time, to what ultimate end?

I mean, I’ve had a lot of fun over the last decade and a half.

 

[Clode]

I didn’t go to a single game this season, and very likely won’t go to the Garden next year, either.

Same. It was always a point for me to get to at least 2-3 games a year but there is no way I'm paying $150+ for a ticket in addition to parking and the gas to get there to watch them barely muster up 10 shots and quit halfway through the 2nd period.

 

[DKH]

I said back in November that they needed to turn things around quick because once the calendar hit January 1st, the road got a lot tougher. The quality of competition was about to go up. This was no tank job.

lol ok

 

[4ORRBRUIN]

It is a bit scary that you and I agree on anything

More than you think or want to believe.

 

[4ORRBRUIN]

I mean, I’ve had a lot of fun over the last decade and a half.

Some people just cant be happy about that, We all want to win a cup and keep trying to do so.

As far as I'm concerned they have.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

I mean, I’ve had a lot of fun over the last decade and a half.

The "should have been more" aspect is much like Sweeney's efforts with the 2nd line unfortunately. Fun, absolutely.

Disappointing? Absolutely as well.

 

[ON3M4N]

Agreed.

And I don't think Neely sees that far ahead.

If he's not looking that far ahead then he shouldn't be in the role.

 

[BruinDust]

lol ok

First time you ever didn't reply with a comment laced with sarcasm.

 

[ON3M4N]

What would the messaging have been, we fired Monty because we couldn't agree on an extension? If the team is committed to the coach then you keep him until its no longer palatable (what they did after the team's start and his comments/demeanor.

Firing him in the offseason because the extension negotiation was going to your liking is bad logic.

The message is simple:

"After several discussions with Jim about his future in the organization, it became evident that he wishes to pursue his coaching career elsewhere once his contract ends. While we respect Jim's aspirations, our priority is to ensure the best interests of the organization. This means having a coach who is dedicated to both the organization and our players beyond this year. During his brief time with us, Jim contributed significantly, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors."

 

[DKH]

First time you ever didn't reply with a comment laced with sarcasm.

You have entered into the ‘why bother’ so very good news for you. No more sarcasm and replies.

 

[BruinDust]

You have entered into the ‘why bother’ so very good news for you. No more sarcasm and replies.

You basically never comment on any of my posts anyways so difference there either way. I rarely if ever comment on anything you post here.

 

[HockeyMomx2]

It's about tone.

"I'm not worried about finding a great coach thrilled to coach an Original 6 franchise" is both the same thing he said but also dramatically different from how he said it.

(But I do actually think some very good candidates won't want the job, not that no good candidate will.)

Gotcha. I didn't put myself through watching it so I'm only going by transcript for all intents and purposes.

 

[Dr Quincy]

The last 5 weeks was a tank job ~ it got then 1-7 in the draft

They could have trudges along got 87 points and it wouldn’t have been so painful for you

Is Charlie going to refund ticket payers, and tv and radio advertisers since they were "tanking" and trying to lose on purpose?

 

[HockeyMomx2]

The message is simple:

"After several discussions with Jim about his future in the organization, it became evident that he wishes to pursue his coaching career elsewhere once his contract ends. While we respect Jim's aspirations, our priority is to ensure the best interests of the organization. This means having a coach who is dedicated to both the organization and our players beyond this year. During his brief time with us, Jim contributed significantly, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors."

Exactly. Folks need to get over the fact that there was never going to be an extension. He wanted to go home and didn't hide it. He wasn't coming back no matter what.

 

[DKH]

Is Charlie going to refund ticket payers, and tv and radio advertisers since they were "tanking" and trying to lose on purpose?

I got a credit today. I haven’t divided the amount by the games but it’s substantial
Go Bruins

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

The message is simple:

"After several discussions with Jim about his future in the organization, it became evident that he wishes to pursue his coaching career elsewhere once his contract ends. While we respect Jim's aspirations, our priority is to ensure the best interests of the organization. This means having a coach who is dedicated to both the organization and our players beyond this year. During his brief time with us, Jim contributed significantly, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors."

Who are you quoting here?