Management Is it time for Delaware North to give the Golden Parachute to Cam Neely?

[EverettMike]

I don’t agree with the All Out characterization.

Hell 75%+ of this board was over the moon with the moves Sweeney made this offseason. They have seemingly forgotten that.

#Proud25%er

 

[Forester65]

I'd like to see the Bruins completely dismantle their entire front office and pro scouting staff. Coaches too (except Bob of course).

And recruit the best young minds from across the hockey world to coach, scout, and manage this franchise. No more former Bruins (Quaider can stay though). Sorry to any local university alumni, but just because you played or coached at BU/BC/Harvard/Providence College/etc. shouldn't give you an inside track either. I don't want the keys handed to Chara or Bergeron just because they were great players.

Neely's fingerprints are all over this franchise. Every off season he pushes Sweeney to rectify and react to what Neely perceives as the Bruins issues. Whether that is firing coaches, pursuing free agents, trading away players. And it usually always leads to mistakes. Always reactive, never proactive. And never patient.

Sweeney is a smart guy but he talks out of both sides of his mouth to the press like a politician. Thing is we'll never know which moves are moves he pushed for, and which are Neely's. Fact is, he's had trouble acquiring top players during his tenure. His best players (for the most part) came from previous regimes, that's just a fact.

Scott Bradley is like a parasite, that nugget in the toilet you just can't seem to flush. I can't comprehend how he's lasted this long. If there are two constants across this franchise in my time as a fan now 34 years. 1) it's they've always leaned more towards natural physical gifts like height/weight, big guys who skate well, etc. than they have towards hockey sense or hockey IQ in their trades/signings/drafting, and 2) Scott Bradley as a key employee in the front office. This trend predates Neely and Sweeney. Bradley is the constant across these eras. Does it mean he's to blame for this mindset? I don't know.

I don't know much about Langenbrunner other than they made a point to waste a draft pick on his kid.

Evan Gold is supposedly strong in manipulating the salary cap so maybe he has some usefulness still.

The pro scouting group has been an abomination for years. Who exactly recommended the likes of Max Jones and Mark Fraser? They need better pro scouts and more of them.

Not disagreeing with anything you said, however hockey IQ is a really hard quality to ID in a young player. Seems like it can be learned over time, too. I hate trashing Neely. He's the best and most dominant hockey player I've ever seen. He played a ridiculously hard-nosed game and gave us fans a lot to cheer about. I give him a lifetime pass. Also have never known who in the front office has been to blame for what.
I have always been frustrated until this year with B's management bringing in small players. Now that we have some bigger bodies in the lineup its time to smarten up and play a style that suits them and puts them in a position to succeed. Structure and gap control please. No more D-men flying the zone to make piss-poor decisions to try and generate offense only to turn the puck over and put us at an odd-man disadvantage. I think the current roster can be a really good team but they need to get their shit together. Probably need to find a way to flush that pesky nugget, too.

I don’t agree with the All Out characterization.

Hell 75%+ of this board was over the moon with the moves Sweeney made this offseason. They have seemingly forgotten that.

I am guilty of liking the offseason moves. I think they were good moves but our current roster is not playing in a system that suits them. Still think the team can turn things around.

 

[UncleRico]

I don’t agree with the All Out characterization.

Hell 75%+ of this board was over the moon with the moves Sweeney made this offseason. They have seemingly forgotten that.

75% of this board was adamant that Sweeney didn’t leave gaping holes at the middle 6 and winger positions and that the concern about scoring was overblown.

Sometimes people are just wrong.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Not disagreeing with anything you said, however hockey IQ is a really hard quality to ID in a young player. Seems like it can be learned over time, too. I hate trashing Neely. He's the best and most dominant hockey player I've ever seen. He played a ridiculously hard-nosed game and gave us fans a lot to cheer about. I give him a lifetime pass. Also have never known who in the front office has been to blame for what.
I have always been frustrated until this year with B's management bringing in small players. Now that we have some bigger bodies in the lineup its time to smarten up and play a style that suits them and puts them in a position to succeed. Structure and gap control please. No more D-men flying the zone to make piss-poor decisions to try and generate offense only to turn the puck over and put us at an odd-man disadvantage. I think the current roster can be a really good team but they need to get their shit together. Probably need to find a way to flush that pesky nugget, too.


I am guilty of liking the offseason moves. I think they were good moves but our current roster is not playing in a system that suits them. Still think the team can turn things around.

Really?

So you don't watch hockey at all anymore?

 

[BruinDust]

Not disagreeing with anything you said, however hockey IQ is a really hard quality to ID in a young player. Seems like it can be learned over time, too.

Certainly things like size/skating mechanics/shot stand out more. But what would drive a team to draft a Bergeron or a Krejci if not noticing they think the game really well, make smart decisions, have good vision and awareness, because neither stand out as young players in any other way than just looking at a stat sheet. Not really big, not real fast, but cerebral.

Can it be learned? I really don't know. Sometimes I think guys who read the game well, anticipate the play ahead of time, find soft spots on the ice, the puck just seems to follow them around, it's just how they are wired. It's like scoring touch, you can't teach it. Some guys have it, some don't.

Given this thread is about Neely, I'm with you in a sense that regardless of his tenure as Team President, I'll always love Cam Neely the player. That part will never change.

 

[Ladyfan]

So they brought Cam in to rally the fans and we rallied. Now a lot despise the guy and spew vitriol about him and that makes me sad.

Warning to Patrice -- don't touch it. Cam Neely was just as beloved as you are and with good reason. Cam Neely is as classy off the ice (not in terms of hockey management -- but as a person) as Patrice. Just ask one of the thousands of families and little kids who he's helped with the Neely House.

This is exactly how I feel.

 

[Forester65]

Really?

So you don't watch hockey at all anymore?

Sorry we disagree.

 

[smithformeragent]

You wonder if “64 million reasons” becomes a turning point in the history of this franchise (and not in a good way).

 

[dredeye]

Cam and Sweeney need to be gone by seasons end. Let new management pick the new coach and direction.

 

[bigbadbruins1]

at this point Neely has proven he is not meant for management. His hot head mismanaged the swayman situation calling him out with "64" million reasons. Dude is 60 years old and is getting in a pissing match with a 25 year old kid. Grow up Cam, and get a new job.

 

[Aussie Bruin]

Truer words. Neely was brought in because the fans rioted. Well not Montreal St Pat's Day riot or anything, they just didn't buy tickets. But to old man Jacobs that is just as bad.

So they brought Cam in to rally the fans and we rallied. Now a lot despise the guy and spew vitriol about him and that makes me sad.

Funny though, I doubt many/any would have the cajones to say that stuff to his face. In fact I pretty much guarantee they wouldn't.

Warning to Patrice -- don't touch it. Cam Neely was just as beloved as you are and with good reason. Cam Neely is as classy off the ice (not in terms of hockey management -- but as a person) as Patrice. Just ask one of the thousands of families and little kids who he's helped with the Neely House.

Very well said. I think Neely's time as Pres has probably just about run its course and it's time for a fresh vision, but that doesn't mean I think less of him as a person or think badly of his tenure. I'm sure he's made some mistakes - been in charge too long not to have - but overall he's done a very decent job and with one possible exception has never been anything but a good and hard-working representative of the Bruins organization. But all things have a shelf life, a person's ability to stay effective in their role will usually wear thin eventually, and change can be a good thing.

In short, you can think it's time for him to go, and you can criticize aspects of his work as President, without hating on him as a person or disrespecting his position as a legend of this franchise.

 

[Ladyfan]

at this point Neely has proven he is not meant for management. His hot head mismanaged the swayman situation calling him out with "64" million reasons. Dude is 60 years old and is getting in a pissing match with a 25 year old kid. Grow up Cam, and get a new job.

Sorry (not sorry) but you are wrong. Cam's calling this out was brilliant and lead to ending the hold out. 60 isn't THAT old.

 

[DaStinger]

Sorry (not sorry) but you are wrong. Cam's calling this out was brilliant and lead to ending the hold out. 60 isn't THAT old.

Or it led to Sweenius giving in to his demands and the situation we are in now. Could be seen both ways.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Or it led to Sweenius giving in to his demands and the situation we are in now. Could be seen both ways.

Neely's statement made Swayman's camp look bad. It led to Swayman giving in, not the other way around.

And what would be the situation if Swayman was still holding out because Sweeney didn't sign him?

Sorry (not sorry) but you are wrong. Cam's calling this out was brilliant and lead to ending the hold out. 60 isn't THAT old.

60 is the new 40.

 

[Babajingo]

I don’t agree with the All Out characterization.

Hell 75%+ of this board was over the moon with the moves Sweeney made this offseason. They have seemingly forgotten that.

Im for total rebuild. That being said, I know that it's not going to happen with this owner/FO, so I was ok with this years moves. I was hoping Zad would bring some intensity back to the team (boy was I wrong).

 

[Hookslide]

The day Bergy is assistant GM I will fist pump like a lunatic. That man has all the tools to me.

Where do you get that he has all the tools, you have only seen him play the game.

 

[Hookslide]

People used to idolize Neely too. Maybe you're right but part of me doesn't ever want him to go from beloved to ridiculed.

People forget all the positive comments made about Neely when he was hired, and probably by some of the negative posters today. How the world turns, or worm, whatever fits.

 

[Donnie Shulzhoffer]

The day Bergy is assistant GM I will fist pump like a lunatic. That man has all the tools to me.

Because of all his vast front office experience? Qualites on the ice don't translate to executive position and vise versa.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Im for total rebuild. That being said, I know that it's not going to happen with this owner/FO, so I was ok with this years moves. I was hoping Zad would bring some intensity back to the team (boy was I wrong).

I remember when Terry Pegula bought the Buffalo Sabres in 2011.

Pegula was quoted as saying, "Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence, will be to win a Stanley Cup."

Some commented here, why can't the Bruins have an owner like that!

2011 was the last year Buffalo made the playoffs.

 

[Hookslide]

Truer words. Neely was brought in because the fans rioted. Well not Montreal St Pat's Day riot or anything, they just didn't buy tickets. But to old man Jacobs that is just as bad.

So they brought Cam in to rally the fans and we rallied. Now a lot despise the guy and spew vitriol about him and that makes me sad.

Funny though, I doubt many/any would have the cajones to say that stuff to his face. In fact I pretty much guarantee they wouldn't.

Warning to Patrice -- don't touch it. Cam Neely was just as beloved as you are and with good reason. Cam Neely is as classy off the ice (not in terms of hockey management -- but as a person) as Patrice. Just ask one of the thousands of families and little kids who he's helped with the Neely House.

The shine eventually comes off all, remember this, Patrice shine will not last forever, he will not be immune to it.

 

[bruinmann77]

i AGREE

I agree Cam Handled that Sway holdout Correctly, and yes Don got the Center that almost EVERYONE Wanted . But of the Two Don Seat is much Hotter

 

[Babajingo]

I remember when Terry Pegula bought the Buffalo Sabres in 2011.

Pegula was quoted as saying, "Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence, will be to win a Stanley Cup."

Some commented here, why can't the Bruins have an owner like that!

2011 was the last year Buffalo made the playoffs.

Totally get your point. It's not a guarantee. but in my opinion its worth the risk, I don't know if I can take a decade of 1st/2nd round exits of a team with players like Coyle, Geekie, Carlo, Wortherspoon, Frederic, ...

bah, its a moot point anyway.

 

[chizzler]

I would move out Neely, promote Sweeney to pres, and then promote Gold to GM. You can look for a upcoming coach in the summer.

 

[BMC]

Couldn't agree more.

All in: Would love it and I was ALL IN when they went for Orlov, Bertuzzi, Hathaway. Fully supportive. But now? I honestly don't think they have the ELC/young talent/horses needed to make it work moneywise or tradewise.

All out: I think Bruins fans would accept a big push to rebuild if it's acknowledged. I certainly would.

Middle: Eeeewwww

I would support a total rebuild but only if the present management is replaced by outside hockey people. I do not trust present management to successfully pull off a total rebuild. The only exceptions would be Bob Essensa & Evan Gold, Essensa for sure because the guy is magic in developing & re-building goaltenders.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Totally get your point. It's not a guarantee. but in my opinion its worth the risk, I don't know if I can take a decade of 1st/2nd round exits of a team with players like Coyle, Geekie, Carlo, Wortherspoon, Frederic, ...

bah, its a moot point anyway.

Could you take a decade of no playoffs at all?

Bruins fans are soooo spoiled.