Management Montgomery fired - Sacco named interim coach Sacco and Sweeney Address Media

[HustleB]

Several coaches used Bourque on lw, going back to Cheevers. It worked like a charm, especially against defensively weak teams like the Nords and Kings. Pederson centering Middleton and Bourque was formidable to say the least.

It's wild that I don't remember this at all.

 

[PlayMakers]

In pointing to Cassidy and Monty I'm primarily asking why shouldn't Sweeney be held to the same standard? Fair point that Monty's time was shorter and more patchy, but insert Julien then instead. When these long-term and mostly successful coaches stumbled and arguably went past their used by date in Boston, rightly or wrongly Sweeney fired them. I think it only reasonable that the GM himself should expect the same treatment.

On the lack of a Cup we simply see it differently. There is plenty of blame for falling short to go around but I believe Sweeney should bear his share too. No GM can be perfect and all rosters have flaws, but there are certain things, like the beyond-obvious black hole on Krejci's right in 2019 that Sweeney didn't even attempt to fill, that IMO were simply erroneous and inexcusable. In my mind I cannot ignore those, few as they may be perhaps, while also giving credit for a lot that Don has done right over the years.

I respect your position. We are not miles apart. I'm not yet firmly in the 'Don must go' camp. But I'm leaning in that direction, pending how the next 5 months or so play out. The issue that probably stands out most to me is something I said in my previous post - weaknesses tend to compound over time. For example, even allowing for the lack of high picks I think Sweeney is not very good at drafting forwards. Defenders, sure, but not the guys up front. And he has never prioritized sheer goal scoring talent, or perhaps even offensive/playmaking talent more broadly, enough. The longer you leave the same guy in charge, the deeper those issues run and the more damage they can cause, however much he brings on the positive side. Couple that with an offseason where he may well have gotten it very wrong indeed (TBC), and questions on whether it's time to move on inevitably arise.

All we can do for now is wait and see what unfolds from here.

I'm not saying Sweeney should be held to a different standard. I'm saying you don't treat a guy with 9 good years the same as you treat a guy with 2 spotty years. The amount of good years should be considered. More good years should equal more rope. You mention Julien. He had 7 good years and they gave him 2 and a half more years where they didn't make the playoffs, because of it. IMO that was fair. Maybe a half year more than fair (but they did just miss by a point his first DNQ). A short amount of success equals a quick axe, but IMO a long history of success should earn you a bit of respect and an opportunity to fix his own mistakes. For me, that number is 2 DNQ's.

In reference to your draft critique, my only comment would be that it's hard to draft high-end skill later in the draft.

 

[quietbruinfan]

It's wild that I don't remember this at all.

It's wild that I don't remember this at all.

Ray had his only career hat trick in Quebec.

 

[GordonHowe]

Not me hes my hero . Imagine no cup since 1972 till now.

If Sinden and O'Connell had been allowed to continue, you'd be staring at that very drought.

 

[GordonHowe]