Boston Globe Will the Bruins' ownership do anything about this mess?

[Fenway]

Papa Jacobs stunned many a couple of months ago when he did a lengthy podcast with The Hockey News

The Graeme Roustan Show: Jeremy Jacobs

The Bruins owner talks about his process of buying the team 50 years ago, working with Gary Bettman, the pros and cons of expansion, his ‘secret to success’ and his love for the fans in Boston.

thehockeynews.com

The Athletic this week ranked NHL owners and Jacobs was in the middle of the pack

NHL owner rankings: Grading every team, from Tampa Bay to Buffalo

Introducing The Athletic's first NHL owner rankings, based 50 percent on a fan survey and 50 percent on expert accounting.

www.nytimes.com

After many, many years as a top contender, the Bruins were in the unusual position of being trade deadline sellers last week. That lack of success of late has raised some serious frustration in what can be a cantankerous fan base, a group for whom the 2011 Stanley Cup win now feels like ages ago.

Jacobs has long been a polarizing figure in NHL circles, but under our ranking criteria, his team’s track record on the ice helps balance out some of the negative opinions and optics that have arisen during things like contentious CBA negotiations.

Despite their on-ice success, the Bruins were voted 29th in willingness to spend, 27th in treatment of the fan base and 26th in franchise vision. And 58 percent of the fan base said they had a more negative level of confidence in ownership this year compared to last.

Fan perspective: “Jacobs will always spend to the cap ceiling but is fiercely loyal to a management team that is never accountable, or, let’s face it: successful. Jacobs’ teams are productive, but the cost to see a game in Boston is not worth the product on the ice anymore.”

“They need to hire an executive that is not a former player. We need a nerd in the front office somewhere.”

 

[Ozzy Osbourne]

As happy as I am with the deadline, Sweeney needs to go. A full decade of incompetence would get most people fired.
He’s made some good and great trades but he’s responsible for the mess we have on our hands now. He’s drafted a bunch of crap, apparently due to his smartest man in the room complex. He’s given ridiculous contracts to Swayman and both Lindholms. Stupid Backes and Belesky signings, etc, etc.
If he’s not fired, the organization is not committed to winning.

 

[Hookslide]

What does this have to do with anything? They had Patrice Bergeron, one of the best all around players of his genration. They had Hall of Famers in net followed by Vezina-quality minders. They had a Hall of Fame winger who played with Bergeron for over a decade. They had top-end talent coming out of their ass for a lot of those years.

What they also had were huge holes this fanbase was desperate for the GM to fill.

What Hall of Famer did they have in net?

 

[Hookslide]

Yea and sat a guy pulling in 6 million that cost a 1st round pick to trade.Anyways that's my 2 cents on him it's depressing me

As a Cassidy guy, you are right, that was a huge mistake, not playing Backes, in game 7, but not as huge as playing injured players when it was not necessary when they were up 3-1 in games.

 

[BruinDust]

I'll always wonder how the past decade of Bruins hockey would of went had they handled the Dougie Hamilton situation better and traded him for a player who could of helped the Bruins immediately, instead of 3 draft picks.

Forget the fact that the 2 of the 3 picks ended up complete busts, a team intent on contending trading Hamilton for middling lottery tickets was a massive blunder. And don't talk to me about Chiarelli and a potential offer sheet forcing their hand. That's a pile of garbage.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

This team hasn't drafted in the top 10 in about what...15 years?
I think overall this management team has over-achieved in terms of the product on the ice without a full-scale superstar/top 2-3 overall pick to work with. Now, that doesn't mean other teams haven't done better, but I think they are above average for the roster they have to work with.

With that said, I'm ready for a rebuild. Not a slash-and-burn style rebuild like Buffalo went through a decade ago, but if it means almost committing to no playoffs for the next 2 seasons after this one, so be it. I don't ever see the core of this team, with the assets they have, getting back to being a top 5 cup contender in its current form.

Its bad that Pastrnak is right in the prime of his career this moment, and McAvoy is entering his. A 2 year rebuild kinda wastes those year, but that is why you do a rebuild, not a full-on teardown.

As a fan, I just would rather have it be obvious the team is taking a step or two back in an effort to take 2-3 steps forward eventually....rather than sit through the long period of purgatory they seem to be entering now. I can deal with some losses, maybe a couple years of losses, if I have something bright and rising on the horizon to look forward to.

This particular management team inherited a team that had arguably HOF level goaltending until Rask got injured in 2022, a first ballot HOF Defenseman, the greatest two way #1C of his generation and 1st ballot HOF and a likely HOF LW and finally
a likely HOF RW.

This is the management group that absolutely butchered the 2015-17 drafts that
not only sunk a probable Cup in 2019 but sped up the unraveling of the current
Bruins.

 

[Gee Wally]

https://www.audacy.com/weei/sports/bruins/welcome-to-a-bruins-experience-not-seen-in-a-generation

The Bruins are not seriously trying to make the playoffs, though. Or, more accurately, Bruins management is not. The coaches and players are still trying to win every game and still want to make a late-season push. Three points out of the playoffs with 13 games to go, even if other teams have games in hand, is still not an insurmountable gap.

But general manager Don Sweeney sold at the trade deadline, the clearest indication there is that the white flag is being waved. He sold a lot, trading away four regulars, including captain Brad Marchand, and another rotational piece in Justin Brazeau.

He now seems content to roll with the roster as is and not try to shake things up with any kind of youth infusion. Matt Poitras, Georgii Merkulov and Fabian Lysell remain in Providence, as does Fraser Minten, the organization’s new top prospect who was acquired from Toronto in the Brandon Carlo trade and who had a hat trick over the weekend.

It would appear that management has determined that it’s better for the kids to continue to develop in Providence and try to make a Calder Trophy run there rather than lose games in Boston and be thrust into NHL roles they’re probably not ready to handle.

It may not be a full-blown tank. David Pastrnak is still playing, after all. His line with Morgan Geekie and Pavel Zacha nearly dragged the Bruins to a win Monday, scoring both Boston goals. But management wouldn’t be disappointed to get as high a draft pick as possible.

It’s an experience this organization and fanbase hasn’t had in a generation. The last time they were focused on anything other than making the playoffs down the stretch was 2007, when the Bruins finished 13th in the conference and missed the playoffs by 16 points. The only two times since then that the Bruins missed the postseason – in 2015 and 2016 – they were in it right to the end, getting eliminated on the final day of the regular season both times.

The Bruins have not had a top-10 pick of their own doing since that 2007 season, when they picked eighth overall (let us not dwell on Zach Hamill here). They did pick second overall in 2010 (Tyler Seguin) and ninth in 2011 (Dougie Hamilton), but those were picks acquired from Toronto in the Phil Kessel trade.

You better believe the Bruins have already started their homework on the likes of Caleb Desnoyers, Anton Frundell, Roger McQueen and Jake O’Brien, players they might have a chance to draft if they do pick in the top 10. Fans and media may soon be following suit, if they haven’t already. Those four are all centers, by the way, and we know Boston is still looking for its No. 1 center of the future.

The fans in attendance will still cheer when there’s something to cheer about. They loved that Zadorov fight, just like they loved his fight with Sam Bennett last week. They chanted “Let’s go Bruins!” in the third period with the game tied 2-2. Even if some of those fans might, deep down, want a higher draft pick, it’s hard to not root for a win when you’re actually there. Again, those conflicted emotions are something they haven’t felt in 18 years. Younger fans or newer fans who jumped aboard during the 2011 Stanley Cup run have never experienced this.

Maybe this Bruins team still has one more push in it. It would need to come during this upcoming five-game Western road trip if it’s going to mean anything. Or maybe this roster just isn’t good enough to do that, and we’ll be spending April focused more on draft position than a playoff race.

 

[BruinDust]

This particular management team inherited a team that had arguably HOF level goaltending until Rask got injured in 2022, a first ballot HOF Defenseman, the greatest two way #1C of his generation and 1st ballot HOF and a likely HOF LW and finally
a likely HOF RW.

This is the management group that absolutely butchered the 2015-17 drafts that
not only sunk a probable Cup in 2019 but sped up the unraveling of the current
Bruins.

Could of those drafts been better? Sure. It's mostly because of the guys who fell into their lap that they passed on. Not walking out of that draft with at least one of Connor or Barzal was criminal.

Somehow they still basically drafted an entire NHL D-corps and goaltending tandem in 3 drafts.

Lindgren - McAvoy

Lauzon - Carlo

Vaakainen

Swayman-Vladar


Ultimately what sunk this franchise into the abyss is their absolute failure to draft, sign, and trade for legitimate offensive talent. Too much focus on two-way (defensive) ability, height/weight, grit, other intangible crap. Obsessed with mythical "Bruin-type" players. Taylor Hall on the back-side of his career is the closest they've ever come to acquiring a legitimate consistent offensive contributor.

 

[DKH]

Brilliant

Add
McAvoy
Lindholm
Machand
Minton
Poitras
UFA F signing

Right back at the top

 

[TD Charlie]

Brilliant

Add
McAvoy
Lindholm
Machand
Minton
Poitras
UFA F signing

Right back at the top

Right back into mediocrity

Marchand can sign a 4 year 26mil deal somewhere else. Time to move on.

Play the kids next season, full time, and hope they mature. Pray the defense heals up nicely over the summer. Sign Geekie. Keep some cap room in the event something falls into your lap or you catch lightning in a bottle. But really, grow and learn next season, build for and prepare to compete potentially in 26-27

 

[Hookslide]

Brilliant

Add
McAvoy
Lindholm
Machand
Minton
Poitras
UFA F signing

Right back at the top

A healthy, McAvoy and Lindholm, yes
Minton would be nice to see pan out
UFA F as long it is not another Elias Lindholm signing.
Move on from all others.

 

[BruinDust]

A healthy, McAvoy and Lindholm, yes
Minton would be nice to see pan out
UFA F as long it is not another Elias Lindholm signing.
Move on from all others.

The issue going shopping this summer in the UFA market is once you get past Mitch Marner, it's pretty much all "Elias Lindholm" like mistakes waiting to happen.

I'm not giving 29-year old Nik Ehlers a 7-year deal, reeks of Lindholm 2.0.

34-year old Matt Duchene. 33-year old Brock Nelson. 34-year old John Tavares. Senior citizens Marchand, Kane and Giroux. I like Sam Bennett but will his body hold up the way he plays with an average frame? Do they take a run at 28-year old Ryan Donato or has that bridge been burned?

Sweeney should just take a vacation on July 1st.

 

[DKH]

Right back into mediocrity

Marchand can sign a 4 year 26mil deal somewhere else. Time to move on.

Play the kids next season, full time, and hope they mature. Pray the defense heals up nicely over the summer. Sign Geekie. Keep some cap room in the event something falls into your lap or you catch lightning in a bottle. But really, grow and learn next season, build for and prepare to compete potentially in 26-27

Too late on Marchand …get used to seeing Marchand next 2-3 or longer in black & gold

Top D pair added Game changer

As for kids other than the past & future C everyone else 30 or under F

E Lindholm 30
Pasta 28
Zacha 27
Geekie 26
Khushnikov 21
Minton 20
Kastelic 24
Poitras 20
Mittlestadt 25

I just named 10 F

Hopefully Lysell gets up here he looked Good Friday & Saturday

D young as well
Only Hampus over 30

We back bitches ….hey now

 

[Hookslide]

The issue going shopping this summer in the UFA market is once you get past Mitch Marner, it's pretty much all "Elias Lindholm" like mistakes waiting to happen.

I'm not giving 29-year old Nik Ehlers a 7-year deal, reeks of Lindholm 2.0.

34-year old Matt Duchene. 33-year old Brock Nelson. 34-year old John Tavares. Senior citizens Marchand, Kane and Giroux. I like Sam Bennett but will his body hold up the way he plays with an average frame? Do they take a run at 28-year old Ryan Donato or has that bridge been burned?

Sweeney should just take a vacation on July 1st.

I agree, if that is the inventory, wait to do your shopping. Would you go after Marner, I must admit never been a fan, good player, but........ Pasta needs help, or you know what comes next. The only other way out of this is the trade route and not sure that would be easy to accomplish, what is needed. All those names you mentioned I suggest forget about them.

 

[Kalus]

I don’t get the article. They aren’t making the playoffs this year, so best thing they can do is lose as many games as possible and improve draft position. Hopefully get McQueen. Make some smart signings. Injured guys come back. They will be back in the playoff mix, though not a contender.

 

[DKH]

A healthy, McAvoy and Lindholm, yes
Minton would be nice to see pan out
UFA F as long it is not another Elias Lindholm signing.
Move on from all others.

Donny’s Plan is working Swimmingly.

Top 6 pick

Marchand hopefully grabs him a 1 and he’s coming back to play second line and grab 70 points

They picked up likely 2 firsts 2 seconds, a 25 year old C with some good offensive skills, a bunch of prospects ~ zellers, Minton, and Khusnutkidov who is a flyer who plays responsible hockey

Just gotta tank

I couldn’t ask for more other than if your going to lose at this point do it in regulation

 

[BruinDust]

I agree, if that is the inventory, wait to do your shopping. Would you go after Marner, I must admit never been a fan, good player, but........ Pasta needs help, or you know what comes next. The only other way out of this is the trade route and not sure that would be easy to accomplish, what is needed. All those names you mentioned I suggest forget about them.

Marner has crumbled under the pressure in the playoffs historically, even admitted himself that nerves get to him. But because of the gap between him and the rest of the UFA class, he's going to get PAID this summer an amount that I don't think the Bruins will be willing to go to, nor should they. He could hit 14 million per unless he signs with one of those no-state tax teams or takes a discount to stay in TO.

I think if they want to find that No.2 forward to slot behind Pasta this summer, it will be the trade route.

Might be one of those things where they need to just bank the cap space and wait for an opportunity. Which is what they should of done last summer. Overall this team is fully-stocked in middle-six forwards, 4th line types, and younger prospects (Poitras/Minten/Lysell/Merk) competing for jobs next October. The missing piece(s) is at the top end of the forward group. Look at the top 5 forwards from any of the contending teams, its at the top end where Boston are lacking.

 

[TD Charlie]

Too late on Marchand …get used to seeing Marchand next 2-3 or longer in black & gold

Top D pair added Game changer

As for kids other than the past & future C everyone else 30 or under F

E Lindholm 30
Pasta 28
Zacha 27
Geekie 26
Khushnikov 21
Minton 20
Kastelic 24
Poitras 20
Mittlestadt 25

I just named 10 F

Hopefully Lysell gets up here he looked Good Friday & Saturday

D young as well
Only Hampus over 30

We back bitches ….hey now

When I say the kids, I mean those that haven't had an extended time in the NHL. No reason to believe they'll play much in Boston next season. They should.

2-3 OR LONGER??!! On Marchand in Boston? Nightmare. I give him a year, 5 mil, The Bergeron. Let another team go full Stamkos on him if that's what it's gonna take.

Love the enthusiasm. This team is far from back, bitches. They are just plain far back.

 

[TD Charlie]

Marner has crumbled under the pressure in the playoffs historically, even admitted himself that nerves get to him. But because of the gap between him and the rest of the UFA class, he's going to get PAID this summer an amount that I don't think the Bruins will be willing to go to, nor should they. He could hit 14 million per unless he signs with one of those no-state tax teams or takes a discount to stay in TO.

I think if they want to find that No.2 forward to slot behind Pasta this summer, it will be the trade route.

Might be one of those things where they need to just bank the cap space and wait for an opportunity. Which is what they should of done last summer. Overall this team is fully-stocked in middle-six forwards, 4th line types, and younger prospects (Poitras/Minten/Lysell/Merk) competing for jobs next October. The missing piece(s) is at the top end of the forward group. Look at the top 5 forwards from any of the contending teams, its at the top end where Boston are lacking.

Marner is a weird one. For me, he's too skilled to ignore and not want on your roster, playing 20 minutes a night. That being said, I don't trust his intensity or drive enough that I'd wanna pay him 14m, 7 years in a row. I can't get anywhere close to 14 with him. Something is off. I'd rather go with a lesser player that I'd feel better about paying 8mil. I have no idea who that player is, but that's just my general thought process on Marner.

 

[sarge88]

What Hall of Famer did they have in net?

I think Rask gets in -- probably not 1st ballot, but 11th all time in GAA, 4th in Save %, over 300 wins, 9th in playoff SV %, a playoff GAA of 2.20 and wins leader for an original six team should make him worthy.

 

[BMC]

One player I'm concerned about is Hampus Lindholm. A lot of people seem to be assuming he will come back & be the Hampus he was before he broke his kneecap. This is the same injury that ended Kevan Miller's career & given the Bruins' luck lately this could also end Hampus' career.

It's great that he's been skating and I certainly want him back in the lineup but the Bruins need have a Plan B if his return is delayed or he has to hang up his skates .

Are there any potential replacements in this year's UFA class?

 

[mar2kbos]

Marner is a weird one. For me, he's too skilled to ignore and not want on your roster, playing 20 minutes a night. That being said, I don't trust his intensity or drive enough that I'd wanna pay him 14m, 7 years in a row. I can't get anywhere close to 14 with him. Something is off. I'd rather go with a lesser player that I'd feel better about paying 8mil. I have no idea who that player is, but that's just my general thought process on Marner.

Stay was from Toronto star players. The core has been together for how long now and they have only made the second round once, maybe twice. That’s it. They have a whole core that lacks drive in the playoffs

 

[Dr Hook]

There is not only the UFA market, but the trade market. Sweeney stocked up on some draft capital, and there are also players that can be moved. There may be more to come that doesn't involve a meh over-30 free agent.

 

[Fire Sweeney]

Who do you folks see as good replacement options for the front office and coaching staff?

Zdeno Chara - GM
Tim Thomas - VP

 

[jgatie]

Zdeno Chara - GM
Tim Thomas - VP