I was wrong and I happily admit that

[Fenway]

The night before Super Bowl LI the Bruins had a bad loss to the Maple Leafs and I was pretty much convinced the season was a hopeless cause.

Looking back at the PGT's I created this season you can see how frustrated I was.

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/forumdisplay.php?f=15&prefixid=ALLTeam17&order=desc

I was sickened by the fact that we were looking at best at our next home playoff game being in 2018 or worse and I wrote more than once that someone had asked me who will host a playoff game first - the Bruins or the Vegas Golden Knights and my reply was a blank stare.

The team then fired Claude under the umbrella of the Patriots Super Bowl win and parade and the board was pretty divided on the change and the way it was done. At the time it happened I thought Claude deserved better. Well it turned out a week later he signs a $25 million dollar contract with Poutineville and he got the Habs back on track.

What I did not expect was the way Cassidy took command and mixed things up a little. The team's play under Bruce vindicated Sweeney and Neely's belief that the talent was there to at least make the playoffs.

Papa Jacobs now has at least 2 precious home playoff gates and I sense the number might wind up to be higher. Making the playoffs most likely means Cam and Don are safe and I would like to see them strip the word interim from Cassidy and give him a contract for the next couple of years at least.

I will admit there were times this season I needed to have a second cup of coffee before whipping up a GDT. A couple of weeks ago when the team lost 4 in a row we were all thinking 'oh no - not again' but this time the team answered with 6 wins in a row.

So now let's see how the final 2 games play out and the final seeding. Obviously I would prefer we don't meet Washington in the first round but if we do meet them I now think the B's can make it a series.

The most important thing is we as Bruins fans have hope right now which is something that has been lacking for almost 3 years.

We have a ticket to the dance and in the NHL anything can happen in the first round.

GO B's

Click to read more...

 

[Mantis]

I can't remember what game it was after, but when their odds dropped down to like 27% I was cursing like a sailor and went to bed angry. Very happy right now.

 

[Bruinaura]

I thought firing Claude was a mistake. Then again, what do I know?

I've been impressed with what Cassidy got out of this team. It was fun seeing them all so happy at the buzzer tonight. Apparently, hockey is a lot more fun when you're winning!

 

[Fenway]

I can't remember what game it was after, but when their odds dropped down to like 27% I was cursing like a sailor and went to bed angry. Very happy right now.

I thought firing Claude was a mistake. Then again, what do I know?

I've been impressed with what Cassidy got out of this team. It was fun seeing them all so happy at the buzzer tonight. Apparently, hockey is a lot more fun when you're winning!

They are definitely a better team at home under Cassidy - Why? Beats me I thought he played LF



The biggest key to making it across the wire was Cassidy believed in Dobby and he came through for the coach.

As a fan now all we can do is sweat the seeding but that will be a lot easier knowing no matter what the team plays next week.

 

[smithformeragent]

I'm having trouble buying in or getting overly excited.

This is a big step for this group of players.

However, as an organization, I still feel like they've blown an opportunity over the past few years to remain among the league's true elite through gross mismanagement of resources. I don't believe that this team as presently constituted is a conference finalist. Making the playoffs satisfies ownership and buys Sweeney and Neely more time and I'm not yet convinced that this is a good thing long term.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

I was wrong about Cassidy.

I do not think Julien was the problem.

I think change ended up working.

 

[DKH]

Everyone's wrong in a way

Some wanted Claude out but 120 point pace with this lineup

Ummm no

 

[Jean_Jacket41]

I was right and happily admit that.

Bruins were a playoffs team. Especially compared to the opposition. Best team in the division.

I feel like a 08-14 type of run is upon us. Bruins are trending up.

 

[RedeyeRocketeer]

I'm having trouble buying in or getting overly excited.

This is a big step for this group of players.

However, as an organization, I still feel like they've blown an opportunity over the past few years to remain among the league's true elite through gross mismanagement of resources. I don't believe that this team as presently constituted is a conference finalist. Making the playoffs satisfies ownership and buys Sweeney and Neely more time and I'm not yet convinced that this is a good thing long term.

I'm somewhere around here, tbd. But I'm super happy about playoffs so no complaints whatsoever.

 

[ReggieMoto]

I'm having trouble buying in or getting overly excited.

This is a big step for this group of players.

However, as an organization, I still feel like they've blown an opportunity over the past few years to remain among the league's true elite through gross mismanagement of resources. I don't believe that this team as presently constituted is a conference finalist. Making the playoffs satisfies ownership and buys Sweeney and Neely more time and I'm not yet convinced that this is a good thing long term.

I am in this camp. The recent successes, while satisfying, feel as if they are built on a shaky foundation. Rask has been performing well -- very well -- but I'm still not 100% sold on him being the guy to carry this team all the way. I'm not sold on Chara and Krejci, and the defense as a whole. I think the team is still as fragile as it was at the start of the season.

I'm happy for playoff hockey. I just can't get my hopes up that this team can go very far. I hope for the best yet expect the worst.

 

[Gordoff]

I'm having trouble buying in or getting overly excited.

This is a big step for this group of players.

However, as an organization, I still feel like they've blown an opportunity over the past few years to remain among the league's true elite through gross mismanagement of resources. I don't believe that this team as presently constituted is a conference finalist. Making the playoffs satisfies ownership and buys Sweeney and Neely more time and I'm not yet convinced that this is a good thing long term.

I agree with you that this only reinforces Neely etc but I think for the moment we have to take a sigh of relief. IF Neely and Sweeney bring them back to the SC finals and maybe another cup on a few years all will be forgotten. I think that they may be on the cusp of a new dawn (or yawn) but the fact is that they've slowly righted the ship and IF Neely lets Donny run things as he sees fit and we claw back to being one of the elite teams in the East within a few years everyone will forget our complaints about their f.o. leadership issues and get back to enjoying the new wave of talent that is on the verge of coming in and changing the team for the better, and soon! So basically all I can say is this: Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!

 

[Blowfish]

I was wrong about the players, especially Krejci and Magnum PEI McQauid.

I didn't expect Cassidy to turn it around like this.

I was right about Claude. Should have left 2 years ago. Was stale and too many disgruntled employees under his realm. Imagination of the players count for something and man oh man are they having fun out there. Smiles are very telling.

Like what Sweeney is trying to do (risks) however still believe Neely's got to go.

 

[BsEuphoria]

Amen!

Playoff hockey is back in Beantown and I can't wait. I have to say I haven't thrown myself on the SCF train yet or anything, but I think this is a big step for this team after 2+ years of misery. I'm going into this one with no real hopes or thoughts and hope they pull the rabbit out of the hat and make a run.

Congrats to the team, and especially Butch for taking over this team and making it what it should've been this season, a playoff team.

-Happy B's Fan

 

[BNHL]

Claude's message was stale,simple as that. It could have been Bruce Cassidy or the Sundance Kid,the team would have responded.

 

[Diatomic]

Goodluck

 

[Donnie Shulzhoffer]

I was 100% wrong and 100% happy about it.

 

[Killerbeez]

Completely wrong here, but right about Sweeney. I think he does have a plan and is executing it. I hope and wish that Neely either becomes completely invisible or is gone soon. McAvoy and JFK may help cement my views on Sweeney even further if they pan out as expected and contribute quickly.

 

[ODAAT]

I`ve already admitted I was wrong, leave me alone

 

[rocketdan9]

I stated a few years back fire CJ and hire Cassidy... Many here laughed at my idea...



Whatever the case is, the curse is down the drain... Not only this, but I think many many here believe now this team can go really far... Maybe like how the 8th seeded Kings did it

 

[ODAAT]

I stated a few years back fire CJ and hire Cassidy... Many here laughed at my idea...



Whatever the case is, the curse is down the drain... Not only this, but I think many many here believe now this team can go really far... Maybe like how the 8th seeded Kings did it

my conflict wasn`t with promoting Cassidy, my opinion (which turned out to be incorrect) is/was that with the lineup available, the results wouldn`t be different as I couldn`t think of a system/style that this team could play that would result in having great success.

Tis one of the many reasons why I`m hitting the keyboards at my home in Halifax and am not behind the bench of a NHL team

 

[SPLBRUIN]

The B's play under Cassidy vindicated what I have felt for a few years now, that Julien's message had gotten real stale and that a coaching change was badly needed. This team has had enough talent to make the playoffs the past few years contrary to what Julien thought.

 

[rocketdan9]

my conflict wasn`t with promoting Cassidy, my opinion (which turned out to be incorrect) is/was that with the lineup available, the results wouldn`t be different as I couldn`t think of a system/style that this team could play that would result in having great success.

Tis one of the many reasons why I`m hitting the keyboards at my home in Halifax and am not behind the bench of a NHL team

The thing is ... The keep CJ crowd was not totally in the wrong... It just would have taken a longer U turn , to make it work again

Look at the success he is having with the Habs...

If the Bruins drafted better earlier, Dobby 'clicked' earlier in the season, who knows cj might still be here today

Whatever the case is... Cassidy hire was the right move ...and CJ is still considered a good coach

 

[HHHH]

I don't think the team is going to win the Cup this year, and I'm not even sure that they are going to win a round in the playoffs, but it was so important for them to make the dance this year and leave the collapses of the past two seasons behind. After the four game March losing streak I was not feeling confident at all and was dreading what was going to happen if they missed again.

I was not on board with bringing Cassidy in, and I am more than happy to eat some crow; he definitely has infused confidence into the players and brought a much more fun brand of hockey back.

Of course I want them to do well in the playoffs, and I hope we can avoid the Caps in the first round, but it almost feels like they are playing with house money at this point. Get the youngsters some playoff experience, look forward to some of the prospects moving up in the near future and hopefully steal a round or two. GO B'S!!

 

[ODAAT]

The thing is ... The keep CJ crowd was not totally in the wrong... It just would have taken a longer U turn , to make it work again

Look at the success he is having with the Habs...

If the Bruins drafted better earlier, Dobby 'clicked' earlier in the season, who knows cj might still be here today

Whatever the case is... Cassidy hire was the right move ...and CJ is still considered a good coach

I`ll always be grateful for CJ but I have also been a fan who, I "think" supported him but was able to come on here and admit when he was doing things I disagreed with

I just didn`t see this group being able to elevate their play the way they have. Again, just a solid indication that any aspirations I might have had to be a scout/coach in the NHL are completely gone

 

[JOKER 192]

I felt It was way past time for Claude to go, Claude is one hell of a coach but it was time. In fact I thought it was to late when he was let go, just didn't feel it would be enough time to turn things around for Cassidy and the Bruins.

Didn't know much about Cassidy so I didn't really know what to expect, I can say I'm more than happy with him so far.

Through the last 3 years I felt the Bruins under achieved, I know many feel they over achieved but I'm not one of those.

Going into the playoffs I hope we can play one of the Ontario teams, so we can a least have any hope of going two rounds and gain valuable PO experience for those who have never been there before. I think we can give the Caps a run for their money but ultimately I think we lose that series.