What is the cause of the Bruins mediocrity?

[Absurdity]

We saw what this team is capable of when they faced Buffalo in the home to home series. They looked like how I think they should have looked like given the talent on the their roster. However, tonight, the Bruins looked like the complete opposite team than they were against Buffalo. It doesn't start and finish there either as the Bruins this year have been an inconsistent team, and in my eyes, they have been under-performing given the talent on this roster. We could even look back a couple of seasons, and it's been the same. Lucic in his last year as a Bruin was very inconsistent who would 'flip the switch' as one might say whenever he wanted. We know Krejci is either on or off during the season. So here I ask, what do you guys think is the problem with the Bruins?

Could Claude be the problem? I have had some criticisms that I believed were warranted over the past couple of weeks pertaining to Claude's decisions (personnel decisions etc.), and I feel as if although he has been better in that regard, he is still the coach and should take credit if the team is doing well or not. The Bruins are currently on pace for 90 points and are ahead of teams that have games in hand over them. Although they are currently in the playoffs, 90 points may not cut it. This team from top to bottom is inconsistent. The powerplay has also been a disappointment. Do you believe Claude is doing his best to get the best he can out of this roster? Do you think he's not getting enough out of his roster? Do you believe the Bruins need a new message behind the bench? Do you believe he is the right coach for the Bruins?

Could the core of the Bruins be the problem (Marchand, Bergeron, Krejci, Backes, Chara, Krug)? These are the players the Bruins pay big money to perform on a consistent basis. As I have mentioned, some of these players haven't been all that consistent this season. Marchand and Krejci are known to have hot and cold streaks during the season. Krejci came back from a hip surgery. Backes is currently out. Bergeron looks more like Bergeron. Although we could amount to the Bruins struggles to these injuries, these players have been inconsistent this season. We see stretches/games of brilliance only following games like we saw tonight in New Jersey and vice versa. The Bruins depend on these players to be the ones carrying the team. They are the leaders of this team and need to perform like they are. Do you believe the Bruins' core have been under-performing? Do you believe this is a result of the coach? Do you think this core is still good enough to keep while re-building/re-tooling for the future?

Could the supporting cast around the core be the problem (management's moves or lack thereof)? This is where we look at guys like Spooner, Pastrnak, Vatrano, Czarnik, Carlo, McQuaid, Kevan Miller, Colin Miller, Liles, Beleskey, Schaller, Moore, Acciari, Nash, Hayes etc. Do you believe management needs to do a better job getting players that fit around the core? Do you believe management has done a proficient job getting a supporting cast for this roster?

I will say that I think Sweeney has been about 50-50 for me with his job so far. I do think a top 9 containing Marchand, Bergeron, Krejci, Backes, Pastrnak, Vatrano, Spooner, and Czarnik is very good. Could it be better? Sure, but in my opinion, there's talent there. Even though I view the extensions to McQuaid and Kevan Miller as a negative for Sweeney, they are both statistically part of a very good defense, kudos to the coach and his staff.

Now as far as identifying the issue(s) troubling the Bruins, I don't have a concrete answer myself. I'm not trying to put words into fans' mouths, but just from browsing the forums the past couple of weeks, some might feel as if 1 may be the issue which is not getting the best out of 2 which is a reason for their under-performance regardless whether they think about if 3 should be improved or not, or some might feel as if 3 is the issue whereas 2 may or may not be at fault while 1 isn't. It's a big reason why I made this thread. I would like to hear everyone's opinions as to why the Bruins are looking like the team they are today.

In my opinion, the players have been under-performing and are inconsistent, Claude has his up and downs which are things he should be criticized/applauded for even if he is a good coach, and I think the supporting cast can be better but is alright. For me it goes down like this, if management believes Claude is the coach for the Bruins for now and for the future, some change needs to be done to this core because if he's trying to get the best out of his roster, and he isn't getting anything from his main guys, what we are seeing from this team is the result. The only issue here may be if Claude wants to go through another potential rebuild or not. The other option is to fire Claude because he isn't getting the results from a talented but under-performing roster. I think one or the other has to happen. No matter how many prospects or picks are used on a player(s) to get them to play with the core, options 1 and 2 are still the constants. If nothing is done, we are going to see more of what we are seeing this season and the last couple of seasons. I like Claude and our core players but something has got to give.

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[wintersej]

Lack of health in the top 9 (and you need to expect injuries, of course) and too many 4th liners in the lineup as a result. A top 9 of Marchand, Bergeron, Pasta, Backes, Krejci, Beleksey, Spooner, Vatrano and Czarnik should be good enough, but we have not seen those 9 in a game all year. Instead we get lineups featuring 5 or 6 4th liners. Guys like Heinen, DeBrusk, and Cehlarik just ain't ready, yet. The wave of kids has started (Czarnik, Vatrano, Carlo) but it will really start in earnest the next two seasons.

 

[Gordoff]

Management pure and simple. It's been discussed ad-nauseum but it comes down to no real significant hockey trades, and of the trades that they've made we have to wait 2-5 years to see the results. BLAH!

 

[BamBamCam]

OTHER
The Bruins have gotten away for their identity.
In 90% of there games they been out hit.
But smaller and faster is the NHL as the Smurfs of the early 2010.

 

[CombatOnContact]

It's not all on Claude, but unfortunately he needs to be the scapegoat. I've seen many teams turn things around very quickly as soon as a new voice comes around. Maybe that happens here, maybe it doesn't. Worth a shot in my opinion. And it's really the only thing they can do right now. Trading a core player may ain't gonna happen.

Gerard Gallant would be a nice replacement...

 

[bob27]

Completely impotent offense. Both from core guys and supporting players. Health and perhaps even lack of bounces have contributed, but the offensive production from our #1 center is unacceptable.

 

[Fenway]

2 years ago Papa Jacobs gave the keys to the Bruins to Charlie.

NOTHING has gone right for this franchise since.

I can't believe I am about to type this but Mike Milbury would be a better 'President of the Bruins than Cam Neely.'

 

[22Brad Park]

2 years ago Papa Jacobs gave the keys to the Bruins to Charlie.

NOTHING has gone right for this franchise since.

I can't believe I am about to type this but Mike Milbury would be a better 'President of the Bruins than Cam Neely.'

Haha Best one ever was him forgetting McAvoys name at podium.Classic ..

 

[smithformeragent]

I went with the core, but flip a coin between that and the supporting cast.

The roster top to bottom has eroded. It's as if management is hoping a switch suddenly gets flipped and they figure it out and play better.

It's like planning on winning the lottery to pay back one's student loans.

 

[Taz#24]

I put other

because the fact is, they are currently a mediocre team, simple as that. In fact, they have performed above my expectations thus far. I see them as a none-playoff group this season so if they do get in, surprise, surprise!

 

[finchster]

Management

When was the last time the Bruins won a trade involving players? The best free agent signing in a while has been Dominic Moore, who has been good but just a 4th line guy. The core got old and management has done nothing about it.

 

[DitClapper]

It's all the above.
But problem numero uno starts with the coach. This team, the core, looks too complacent more nights than not.

 

[Blowfish]

I voted coach not because he's a bad coach obviously not but this Core needs a new voice. Way to much complacency.

 

[Gee Wally]

I'm looking at Neely. I loved him as much as anyone that ever pulled on the sweater. But I think he's too damn stubborn to manage the club.
Just my gut feel.

 

[DominicT]

I'm looking at Neely. I loved him as much as anyone that ever pulled on the sweater. But I think he's too damn stubborn to manage the club.
Just my gut feel.

I've been beating that drum for 2+ years now, but nobody wanted to hear it back then.

And before anyone responds with the usual "I've met Neely and he was this and that.... blah, blah, blah" The guy you meet in public is almost never the same as the guy behind closed doors running a business.

Bring in a President that knows business and has nothing to do with hockey ops (or move Neely there) and leave Sweeney in control of hockey ops. I'm more than fine with that.

And that, is not my gut feeling.

 

[KnightofBoston]

There should be an all of the above option.

I think most nights, julien and his staff keep this team in it. They don't have great supporting players outside of Moore and some of their stars are either not playing up to expectations or are hurt (backes)

But occasionally julien makes moves that I personally am not fond of and you often see the majority of the board clammoring he makes the opposite move...where we are validated is when he ends up making the move we clammored for...a good example of this is the year we first did not make the playoffs...constantly playing Campbell out there and in final minutes down by a goal and then finally scratching him.

I also think Sacco needs to go and go yesterday


Some of our core guys have not played up to expectations, even Krejci who has been better as of late.

Marchand and Bergeron both are not on the score sheet enough despite being good to great in other areas. Pasta has gone cold.

Our second line hasn't really found itself. And outside of Czarnik and Moore, the bottom six is bleh


McQuaid is too slow for this game, both in his skating and his thinking


Management in so far as Neely and Jacobs I do not believe to really have a cup winning mentality, Jacobs is out of touch and I don't view Neely as someone who is all that intelligent nor has the savvy to support Sweeney in transactions

Sweeney I think has a good feel for the game as well as player development, I think he's greeen when it comes to assessing NHL talent and how it will fit here as well as making the right moves for the short and long. But personally I feel Sweeney is low on the list of problems with this team.

 

[BB88]

Lack of health in the top 9 (and you need to expect injuries, of course) and too many 4th liners in the lineup as a result. A top 9 of Marchand, Bergeron, Pasta, Backes, Krejci, Beleksey, Spooner, Vatrano and Czarnik should be good enough, but we have not seen those 9 in a game all year. Instead we get lineups featuring 5 or 6 4th liners. Guys like Heinen, DeBrusk, and Cehlarik just ain't ready, yet. The wave of kids has started (Czarnik, Vatrano, Carlo) but it will really start in earnest the next two seasons.

I think so far the injury situation has been alright, there's plenty of teams with worse situations fighting around the same spot.

It's tough to say what this team is right now.
Can't say it's highly skilled team, can't say it's a very fast lineup either or it's tough to play against.

 

[smithformeragent]

For Chiarelli's faults, I felt that it was healthy to have an "outsider" running the hockey side of things.

It's uncomfortable for me to have both Neely and Sweeney, two guys who played for this ownership, running things.

Do the Jacobs fear an outsider?

 

[BNHL]

All of the above. My order would be 1.Core, 2.Supporting players 3.Management 4.Claude.

 

[nmbr_24]

It is the players.It got to this point because Chiarelli really screwed things up with his horrible drafting and trades to try and keep as much of the cup winning team together as possible. The problem with that is that he gave a contract to a clearly declining Dennis Seidenberg and traded Boychuk as he was hitting his peak and for a bad return for him and Seguin and left a massive salary cap mess because he did things like signing Iginla to a deal that took $5 million off the cap the next season.

I understand why Chiarelli did what he did it may have worked out if he had any decent drafts but he didn't even have one until his final one.

Just look at this team compared to the cup team

Lucic-Krejci-Horton
Marchand-Bergeron-Recchi
Peverley-Kelly-Ryder
Paille-Campbell-Thornton

Chara-Seidenberg
Ference-Boychuk
Kaberle-McQuaid

Thomas
Rask

What position are they equal or better in compared to then? Maybe Marchand, Pastrnak, and if they put Backes as the 3rd line center? Maybe Carlo is almost as good as Seidenberg was? Besides that every position has a lesser player at it.

 

[ReggieMoto]

I voted 'other' because it can't be summed up as one issue; in my view it's a combination of problems. The vets are slumping and the reasons are varied (age, injury, returning from injury), supporting players providing little support, shortcomings with the roster (still need a top pairing defenseman, need someone on Krejci's RW, need a backup netminder). And no, I don't believe the head coach needs to be replaced.

 

[Gee Wally]

In regard to fire Claude heres why I'm opposed at this time.

First I still think he's a helluva coach. But that aside what I think most likely will happen when/if he's fired is in financial world whats termed 'dead cat bounce'.

A change that is short and not lasting but gives false confidence. It doesn't truly fix anything. Aside from giving management the out . Especially if the bounce gets them a playoff berth.

 

[DominicT]

For Chiarelli's faults, I felt that it was healthy to have an "outsider" running the hockey side of things.

It's uncomfortable for me to have both Neely and Sweeney, two guys who played for this ownership, running things.

Do the Jacobs fear an outsider?

Remember way back when Chiarelli was fired and all this discussion was going on around here about the firing and the potential Sweeney hiring?

My only response to everyone was:

How much Sinden is involved? (and that was a rhetorical question).

Dan called me and I filled him all in on Sinden. Months later it came out how much he was involved.

There's your answer to your question

 

[mikelvl]

The third line last night was Austin Czarnick, Riley Nash, and Tim Schaller.....my good lord. You expect to win with a rookie, a 4th liner, and an AHL-er in your top 9. The fourth line right wing last night is less of a scoring threat than Jimmy Hayes....did I really just say that?

Don Sweeney should be allowed to stay on until his draft picks arrive at least. He deserves more time. I don't think it matters who coaches this team. They are what they are. Neely on the other hand, not so sure about him.

 

[rudos1]

Sweeney hasn't made the moves I'd like to see in so much as at least one major defensive piece and a true scorer like a 40+ goal guy. Now I know it's easy for me to say but I feel DS and company overvalue the guys they have and it has hurt our chances to make trades that could really make a difference. I also have felt for years that Claude is just too stuck in his defense first and vets always get the nod ways time to make changes even if there is some bleeding to be done...