SPLBRUIN
Registered User
- Mar 21, 2010
- 12,623
- 13,068
If the Jacobs are willing to take a DNQ then that is comforting. Much as it will suck in the short term, if the team is looking bound to fall short then you may as well lean into that as much as you can and take advantage, including potentially the lottery as you said. Been a while since the Bruins have been in a position to have these sorts of options, so make the most of it.
I think Marchand has mostly done the best he can as captain in difficult circumstances, despite some limitations. He lacks support and it is never easy to be the guy in charge when an era of greatness (or perhaps in this case, near greatness) inevitably comes to an end. He hasn't been able to arrest the decline but I'm not sure anyone could have. Frustration and trying too hard have probably led to some errors but they are understandable. With that said, is he the right guy to captain the team next year? That's also difficult. It could well be time to move on, even if he's not dealt, But there are no really good candidates to replace him. McAvoy would be the frontrunner but I am not convinced that is a great idea. One of many questions that need to be answered going forwards.
Sacco as you say is definitely gone and he knows it. On balance I would probably prefer to see a fresh face and perspective in the GM chair too, but I appreciate that Sweeney's overall record is arguably good enough to fairly earn him the chance to rectify the errors of the last 8 months. So be it. Can only hope he gets more things right this time. If he doesn't, then his own departure really will be assured, and Neely's too.
If Brad isn't back next year, the captaincy has to go to Pastrnak, not because he's the team's best player but because I think he is a better leader type then McAvoy. When he dropped the gloves last year in the playoffs with Tkachuk, that sealed the deal for me.