Speculation: Redefining Success

[MarchysNoseKnows]

Painful but necessary if you are actually committed to contender not pretender.

This team is not going anywhere, and it probably won't, as long as Charlie is in love with Cam and Don.

As long as they are here, nothing will truly change. Because what matters most to them and to Charlie, as much as he cares, is the bottom line. Playoff gate. Seems to be enough to allow them to keep spinning their wheels.

So, the logic is they have to be terrible for those two to finally get canned. But I don't see it. Not yet.

(Sigh.)

The laziest of lazy takes.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

Painful but necessary if you are actually committed to contender not pretender.

This team is not going anywhere, and it probably won't, as long as Charlie is in love with Cam and Don.

As long as they are here, nothing will truly change. Because what matters most to them and to Charlie, as much as he cares, is the bottom line. Playoff gate. Seems to be enough to allow them to keep spinning their wheels.

So, the logic is they have to be terrible for those two to finally get canned. But I don't see it. Not yet.

(Sigh.)

Could change if (when?) they miss the playoffs.

 

[GordonHowe]

This team is arguably the worst offensive team in the league and a successful season at this point would be simply fixing this team's offensive problems so going into next season they aren't in the same offensive funk that they are in this season.

Could change if (when?) they miss the playoffs.

Yes it could.

But that would take a playoff DNQ in addition to what appears to be massive overpayment for mediocre return. The Swayman business was, as Bob Kennedy might say, "unhelpful" on several fronts.

They're not going anywhere until Sweeney & Neely are gone.

Falling ticket sales, dwindling attendance and declining revenue are the only indicators of genuine change.

Patience may be waning in the owner's box, but the Stockholm Twins would have to f*cl up badly for a final push off the cliff.

I am not holding my breath.

 

[McGarnagle]

Whatever it is, they won't reach it

 

[Absurdity]

I would say going into the season, anything short of two playoffs rounds won with the addition of a top 6C and top 4D that is physical is a failure.

One thing the Bruins did well last season was get Lohrei and Beecher playoff experience. It would have been ideal if Poitras didn't get injured, but hopefully the Bruins can start to integrate more youth at forward this season so that they can also gain some playoff experience.

 

[PlayMakers]

Painful but necessary if you are actually committed to contender not pretender.

This team is not going anywhere, and it probably won't, as long as Charlie is in love with Cam and Don.

As long as they are here, nothing will truly change. Because what matters most to them and to Charlie, as much as he cares, is the bottom line. Playoff gate. Seems to be enough to allow them to keep spinning their wheels.

So, the logic is they have to be terrible for those two to finally get canned. But I don't see it. Not yet.

(Sigh.)

I don't buy this Gordie. I think it was true under Papa Jacobs. He was an absentee owner. As Wally says, the Bruins were the razor, the concessions were the razor blades. It was a vehicle to build wealth and it did.

Charlie Jacobs is here. He's in the building. When he's interviewed he knows the minutia of the lineup and details someone cashing checks just wouldn't know, like power play and PK streaks.

Yeah, he seems enamored with Cam and Don. As a fan, who wouldn't be enamored by working with your childhood idol. But he also does a lot to enrich the experience for fans and to improve the experience for the players. Warrior Arena, all the upgrades to the Garden (not the rental ones, the statues and such. I think he's doing what he can to make the Bruins a world class organization because he loves them.

I think Cam is driven to ice a Cup winner. I think that's his only goal, and I think he views it with the sophistication (or lack thereof) of Ricky Bobby fan. You're either first or last. I think the lack of success this season is killing him, but I also think he sticks his nose in to try to improve things and it often backfires.

I think Sweeney is much more pragmatic. He wants to win a Cup, but he realizes there are degrees of success. Making the playoffs is a degree of success. Winning a round, winning two... all degrees of success. I don't think he build a team to win the Cup, I think he tries to build teams that can be successful year in year out so that when things break their way they're in position to go on a deep run.

 

[GordonHowe]

I don't buy this Gordie. I think it was true under Papa Jacobs. He was an absentee owner. As Wally says, the Bruins were the razor, the concessions were the razor blades. It was a vehicle to build wealth and it did.

Charlie Jacobs is here. He's in the building. When he's interviewed he knows the minutia of the lineup and details someone cashing checks just wouldn't know, like power play and PK streaks.

Yeah, he seems enamored with Cam and Don. As a fan, who wouldn't be enamored by working with your childhood idol. But he also does a lot to enrich the experience for fans and to improve the experience for the players. Warrior Arena, all the upgrades to the Garden (not the rental ones, the statues and such. I think he's doing what he can to make the Bruins a world class organization because he loves them.

I think Cam is driven to ice a Cup winner. I think that's his only goal, and I think he views it with the sophistication (or lack thereof) of Ricky Bobby fan. You're either first or last. I think the lack of success this season is killing him, but I also think he sticks his nose in to try to improve things and it often backfires.

I think Sweeney is much more pragmatic. He wants to win a Cup, but he realizes there are degrees of success. Making the playoffs is a degree of success. Winning a round, winning two... all degrees of success. I don't think he build a team to win the Cup, I think he tries to build teams that can be successful year in year out so that when things break their way they're in position to go on a deep run.

Fair enough.

But how many times has it broken their way, and how many times have they taken advantage of it?

They aren't bottom feeders. Nor are they true challengers.

Sweeney and Neely have to go.
But they won:t for the reasons mentioned.

As nauseum.

A much kinder and gentler version of Harry Sinden. The results are similar.

I respect both Cam and Don, as I did as players. I respect Charlie Jacobs, that he cares, is a fan and wants to win, as noted previously many times.

It's been 10 years nonetheless.

I've had enough,



Posted prior to Leafs game

 

[LSCII]

I don't want Sacco back if he can't fix the power play.

There is more talent there than most teams have to work with. There's no reason the Sharks, Kraken, Sabres, etc should be 10 spots higher than Boston.

What team are you watching? They have bottom of the roster depth with literally no top 6 talent outside of Pasta and Marchand.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

I didn’t answer the poll until tonight.

Sell.

This team is a DUD. Their record is a smokescreen and even that isn’t great.

Even if they make the playoffs (which honestly… it’s a longshot), this iteration has the stink of their 95-96 team which made the playoffs, but you KNEW. You knew they were going nowhere. And honestly, that’s optimistic.

I’m finally being honest with myself about this club. I hope management is as well.

Get what you can - get the f*** out.

 

[22Brad Park]

Making playoffs would be exceptional with this backend .No Hampus is evident now.

 

[BigGoalBrad]

I voted assets because I think we'd be better this year trading stale vets for picks and going with guys in the system.

 

[GordonHowe]

I didn’t answer the poll until tonight.

Sell.

This team is a DUD. Their record is a smokescreen and even that isn’t great.

Even if they make the playoffs (which honestly… it’s a longshot), this iteration has the stink of their 95-96 team which made the playoffs, but you KNEW. You knew they were going nowhere. And honestly, that’s optimistic.

I’m finally being honest with myself about this club. I hope management is as well.

Get what you can - get the f*** out.

They're not being honest with themselves, at least about what matters most,



They are spinning their wheels.

And have been all along.

 

[Eddie Munson]

I don't buy this Gordie. I think it was true under Papa Jacobs. He was an absentee owner. As Wally says, the Bruins were the razor, the concessions were the razor blades. It was a vehicle to build wealth and it did.

Charlie Jacobs is here. He's in the building. When he's interviewed he knows the minutia of the lineup and details someone cashing checks just wouldn't know, like power play and PK streaks.

Yeah, he seems enamored with Cam and Don. As a fan, who wouldn't be enamored by working with your childhood idol. But he also does a lot to enrich the experience for fans and to improve the experience for the players. Warrior Arena, all the upgrades to the Garden (not the rental ones, the statues and such. I think he's doing what he can to make the Bruins a world class organization because he loves them.

I think Cam is driven to ice a Cup winner. I think that's his only goal, and I think he views it with the sophistication (or lack thereof) of Ricky Bobby fan. You're either first or last. I think the lack of success this season is killing him, but I also think he sticks his nose in to try to improve things and it often backfires.

I think Sweeney is much more pragmatic. He wants to win a Cup, but he realizes there are degrees of success. Making the playoffs is a degree of success. Winning a round, winning two... all degrees of success. I don't think he build a team to win the Cup, I think he tries to build teams that can be successful year in year out so that when things break their way they're in position to go on a deep run.

While I don't disagree, I question whether he has the ability to build that Stanley Cup winner.

Came close in 2019. They had an amazing year in 22-23. But it's the building around the core and drafting that just seems to fall short year in and year out.

I will never fault him for going all in for 22-23. That should have been the year but I think some real poor coaching decisions and bad breaks down the stretch and through round 1 cost them. But in the end, they (Sweeney/Neely), just haven't added enough to the gift of a roster they were handed with Krejci, Rask, Chara, Bergeron, Pastrnak, Marchand to get it done. Out the door are 4 of those 6 pieces and they've only been able to marginally replace 50% of that.

I think this has played out and it's time to try something new. He had a decade and I'd argue this team he's constructed may be worse than the team that got Chiarelli canned.

Success to me is playing the kids to see what you have and making a decision on a GM BEFORE the trade deadline.

 

[Sevendust]

Time to retool. The team is to comfortable and needs new impulses. Sweeney had his offseason and built his team he always wanted to built with the cap space he had. His team is what it is. They won´t suddenly hit a switch and become aggressive and offensively creative. The problem isn´t the coach, its in the room. Time to shed some weight and retool. Leave the team as it is you will flame out like the Detroit Red Wings. Don´t target any picks outside the first round, I would target young NHL ready prospects who are hungry to make their mark in the NHL.

What to do:

Trade Frederic - I believe last season will always be his career high. He is what he is. No way I re-sign him. Try to trade him for a good prospect. Call up Merkulov, put him on the left wing or center position on the third line and see what you have in him.

Trade Carlo - Trading him makes the team worse in the shortterm but with the right value coming back you can improve team in the longterm future. You can get a very good prospect for him.

Trade Coyle - Teams who want to go deep in the playoffs will always have a place for good defensive and responsible third line center who can chip in some offense. Could be a bidding war for him, then he could for sure fetch a great prospect or a first round pick and a good prospect

Trade and the re-sign Marchand in the offeseason- Approach him and ask him if he wants to chase another cup and come back in the offseason. I get the romantic to stay your whole career with one team but romantic doesn´t win you Cups. Marchand at the trade deadline would be the ultimate price. Depending on his willingness to chose multiply teams their could be a huge bidding war. If Ray Bourque can be traded at the end of his career everybody can (I know didn´t win a cup until then)

Trade or keep Poitras - Difficult decision. He has the IQ and vision to play in the big league but he doesn´t have ideal heigth and the body to be ready. He is also very harsh on himself and let errors deray his play. Also prone to get himself into big hits and hurt. You have to ask yourself if he really will have the ability to play top 6 minutes on the NHL level. If not you try to trade him for a similar prospect you like more. This prospect trades happen. Look at McGroarty and Yager although under different circumstances.

Call up Lysell - Waive Wahlstrom and see what you have in Lysell. Put him on the second line and see how he does. Give him the camp and the next season to see if he is part of the future.

Keep and re-sign Geekie - still an RFA who also struggled this season but can play on any line. You need some soldiers. I would keep him around for a low cap hit.

Decide on Brazeau - I think his skating issues are exageratted. He can play and has great vision. The problem is, NOT on any line higher than the fourth or third line. Re-sign him for a year and see what you have in him

Zadorov and Lindholm - They are what they are and they are overpaid. You keep them and pray that their bodys will age well. Both are the league for a lot of years and are or soon will be on the wrong side of 30. You hope that Lindholm can be a responsible second line center who can chip in 40-50 points per season. If you expect anything more, you will be disappointed. Zadorov hopefully won´t hurt his team in the playoffs with his dumb penalties and can chip in some physicality in the spring. If you expect anything more, you will be disappointed.

Swayman - He is a number one goalie and finally came around in December. He is a goalie that could win you a cup. Trading him would be stupid. He is not responsible that this team cannot score goals or suck in the offensive zone.

Sign a defenseman to replace Carlo - Provorov, Chychryn, Ekblad, Pionk will be available after this season. Sign one to replace Carlo. They will be more expensive and their defense can be worse but they give the team another defenseman who will be better in the offensive zone and in the case of Ekblad and Provorov are the better package.

Pray for Eichel and McDavid - Both will be free agents after next season. Pray that one of them don´t re-sign and reach free agency. Sign one and become a cup contender.


This retool won´t stomp the whole team down but changes the dynamic of the team. They could still limp into the playoffs this and next season. If everything pans out they will be better in 2027 then they are right now. Pasta still will be 31. McAvoy 29. Marchy will be 39 but still could be good with the right supporting cast and not a huge part of the offensive depending on him as it is right now.

 

[bp14]

Success to me would be hope for the next few years. Given the current roster, “hope” probably comes in the form of new management and a new head coach. They need some major changes.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

I don't like using playoff rounds as a baromoter for progress. The playoffs are just so... random. Luck is such a huge factor. In what other sport is the best team in the league more likely to NOT win a championship.

The regular season and the playoffs are just two different animals. Two years ago, Florida only made the playoffs because Pittsburgh lost to the 5 worst teams in the league down the stretch. The Panthers went on to beat the best team in the league and lose in the Finals. Did anyone think, during that season, that the Panthers were a Cup contender? They finished with 92 points, 17th in the NHL, 23rd PK in the NHL.

So, it could be that this Bruins team, with their heavy roster, is better suited for the playoffs, but I don't know that they're actually better or in a better place than they were last year. I certainly wouldn't want to see them run it back with this same group again next year.

Regarding Florida, I absolutely felt they were the Bruins worst matchup back in February and got into it with Marchy. You are discounting the injuries they had to Barkov and Bennett during the RS. You miss essentially an elite 1A and 1B center for like 18 and 13 G respectively your team is taking a hit.

Once #37 went down with a spinal injury and Ullmark was dinged up I was
surprised they went up 3-1, mostly on the back of Taylor Hall bringing his MVP level
play and Coyle having the two best consecutive PO games of his career. Wasn't shocked they blew a 3-1 lead because that's what Boston's done before '23 and after as shown in '24.

 

[chizzler]

While I don't disagree, I question whether he has the ability to build that Stanley Cup winner.

Came close in 2019. They had an amazing year in 22-23. But it's the building around the core and drafting that just seems to fall short year in and year out.

I will never fault him for going all in for 22-23. That should have been the year but I think some real poor coaching decisions and bad breaks down the stretch and through round 1 cost them. But in the end, they (Sweeney/Neely), just haven't added enough to the gift of a roster they were handed with Krejci, Rask, Chara, Bergeron, Pastrnak, Marchand to get it done. Out the door are 4 of those 6 pieces and they've only been able to marginally replace 50% of that.

I think this has played out and it's time to try something new. He had a decade and I'd argue this team he's constructed may be worse than the team that got Chiarelli canned.

Success to me is playing the kids to see what you have and making a decision on a GM BEFORE the trade deadline.

They need to split the top two and go one way.

 

[ODAAT]

as currently composed, this team is first round fodder. For me, success is to retain that 1st round pick, move Freddy and try to get an asset and a pick for him, start giving the kids from Providence a longer look to give em` a taste

 

[Over the volcano]

Changing my answer - I will call it a success if they end the season with a legit 2nd line of forwards.

 

[Mick Riddleton]

 

[wintersej]

Failure: miss playoffs
Success:
- win a round with Poitras, Lorhei and ideally Lysell in the lineup
- Get Swayman’s head on straight
- Get E Lindholm and Zadorov into their long term roles
- no self rentals

 

[shelbysdad]

This is an organization that, in the last past seasons:

• under a new coach, set the world on fire in the regular season only to completely collapse in the playoffs

• endured the retirement of core pieces including their captain on the eve of the 100th season in franchise history

• had a more than respectable centennial regular season and won a playoff round

• fired said coach early in the season after a horrible start

Wondering what, to you, constitutes calling this current season a success.

And in a side note, what does interim coach Joe Sacco need to do to retain the job?

Fix the PP
That alone makes this team much better

 

[BigGoalBrad]

While I don't disagree, I question whether he has the ability to build that Stanley Cup winner.

Came close in 2019. They had an amazing year in 22-23. But it's the building around the core and drafting that just seems to fall short year in and year out.

I will never fault him for going all in for 22-23. That should have been the year but I think some real poor coaching decisions and bad breaks down the stretch and through round 1 cost them. But in the end, they (Sweeney/Neely), just haven't added enough to the gift of a roster they were handed with Krejci, Rask, Chara, Bergeron, Pastrnak, Marchand to get it done. Out the door are 4 of those 6 pieces and they've only been able to marginally replace 50% of that.

I think this has played out and it's time to try something new. He had a decade and I'd argue this team he's constructed may be worse than the team that got Chiarelli canned.

Success to me is playing the kids to see what you have and making a decision on a GM BEFORE the trade deadline.

Good post. Compare that to what the GM before him did. Chiarelli also sold in 2010 but won 7 playoff games and didn't give up any assets in 2012. Kessel trade and others were made with an eye on the future absolutely none of that over the course of a decade from Donny.

He blew a generational draft and gives up assets every TDL to the point where most publications rank out prospects last in the league or close.

And now it's clear we have problems in the dressing room and the guys lack motivation and are too comfortable and he's still too cowardly to trade a vet.

It's pathetic. Glad he's having fun with the 4 Nations.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

Failure: miss playoffs
Success:
- win a round with Poitras, Lorhei and ideally Lysell in the lineup
- Get Swayman’s head on straight
- Get E Lindholm and Zadorov into their long term roles
- no self rentals

I like this a lot.

Now… How realistic do you think it is?

 

[wintersej]

I like this a lot.

Now… How realistic do you think it is?

Should probably split “win a round” and “integrate the kids in the lineup” and hope for 3 of 5.