The New GM is Don Sweeney

[BoSoxFink]

I'm not claiming anything; I'm not the one suggesting to replace the current Stanley Cup winning coach with a guy that has struggled to get out of the first or second round most years.

And don't talk to Claude about no-shows and injuries. Claude has done more with way less. But you've already made up your mind on Claude so no rational conversation will matter to you.

Claude is and was a great coach. But the game is changing in a way where I'm not sure his style is going to be as successful as it used to be. It's shifting to a more up tempo speed game and that contradicts how Claude likes his teams to play I believe.

I feel like it's time to move on. All coaches have a shelf life in every sport for the most part with rare exceptions.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

Yet Todd McLellan, the guy you suggest to replace him with, missed the playoffs this year and hasn't made it out of the second round in the last four years. Maybe the game has passed him by?

You're being ridiculous.

 

[Salem's Lot]

Claude is and was a great coach. But the game is changing in a way where I'm not sure his style is going to be as successful as it used to be. It's shifting to a more up tempo speed game and that contradicts how Claude likes his teams to play I believe.

I feel like it's time to move on. All coaches have a shelf life in every sport for the most part with rare exceptions.

Wouldn't it be wise to give Claude a shot with a roster that's put together in Sweeney's vision instead of just assuming that he can't adapt to the players that he's given? If there was a coach that Sweeney absolutely wants and is available then Ok, but absent that or unless Babcock is the replacement then I don't see the downside to giving Claude a shot.

 

[BoSoxFink]

Wouldn't it be wise to give Claude a shot with a roster that's put together in Sweeney's vision instead of just assuming that he can't adapt to the players that he's given? If there was a coach that Sweeney absolutely wants and is available then Ok, but absent that or unless Babcock is the replacement then I don't see the downside to giving Claude a shot.

I'm genuinely surprised to hear you suggest this because you were a bigger fire Claude guy than me this year.

 

[cshea]

It is a different discussion, but theThornton no-show thing is so wrong. One of the great myths of hockey. He 0fered his rookie year and than in again in 04 when he was hurt. For some reason the choker label has stuck because of that 04 series, really. 82 points in 97 career playoff games in San Jose. A dip from his normal regular season numbers, but not a significant one and he has led or been 2nd in team scoring basically every year. He's never a complete playoff no-show like Seguin in '13, Krejci & Marchand in '14. Dude shows up.

In a related story, I want no part of McLellan.

 

[BoSoxFink]

Yet Todd McLellan, the guy you suggest to replace him with, missed the playoffs this year and hasn't made it out of the second round in the last four years. Maybe the game has passed him by?

You're being ridiculous.

Mike Babcock hasn't made it out of the second round in 6 years but is generally thought of as one of the best coaches in hockey, if not the best. Has the game passed him by too? I'm just saying arguing based on how far teams go in the playoffs isn't the be all end all for coaching candidates, at least in my opinion.

 

[Salem's Lot]

I'm genuinely surprised to hear you suggest this because you were a bigger fire Claude guy than me this year.

I've changed my mind. I see what's out there and I don't want Sweeney to make a change just for the sake of changing. If you give Claude good players he tends to get above average results. the more I pick through this past season the more it comes down to the roster just not being that good. And they replaced the guy in charge of that.

 

[BoSoxFink]

I just want a change from the Claude system because I think it's the way the league is trending. I'm not shitting on Claude, I thank him for what he accomplished here but as FLAW said, I guess I've made up my mind on this.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

Mike Babcock hasn't made it out of the second round in 6 years but is generally thought of as one of the best coaches in hockey, if not the best. Has the game passed him by too? I'm just saying arguing based on how far teams go in the playoffs isn't the be all end all for coaching candidates, at least in my opinion.

So you see how ridiculous it is to claim the game has passed these guys by then, right?

 

[BoSoxFink]

So you see how ridiculous it is to claim the game has passed these guys by then, right?

so you don't see the game changing the way I do then? Do you think Claude's style is suited to the uptempo speed game? You know for a fact he won't change his style. Everyone has to play his system when here.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

I don't think he needs to change his style, so no I don't agree with you on anything you're saying.

 

[BoSoxFink]

I don't think he needs to change his style, so no I don't agree with you on anything you're saying.

ok then, we will have to agree to disagree.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

I don't agree to anything.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

Nothing!

 

[BoSoxFink]

We will have to agree that you're a pretty swell guy

 

[FL4WL3SS]

False!

 

[Eddie Jurak]

"The guy in charge of that", though, is going to have an impact on the team for years to come thanks to things like choosing Seidenberg over Boychuk, trading the most elite offensive talent on the team when his value was at an all time low, etc. This will continue to be Chiarelli's team for a few more years unfortunately.

Hopefully Sweeney has some good ideas about how to tinker
Around the edges, because that's all he'll be able to do for now.

Keeping Claude makes more sense after an internal GM hire, though. I'm not sold on Claude as the right guy for this team (it's not the same team Claude took to the Final twice), but Sweeney isn't a new GM coming in from outside the org and having his coach chosen for him.

 

[Reardon's Beard]

My biggest gripe with keeping coach is that if he lost the room, I'm not sure that's an easy road back if you want to get this team playing Bruins hockey. If most of it stemmed from Chia and his roster moves, which I'm under the distinct impression is the case, I absolutely want coach here as there are few, if any, better in the business.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

I think if he lost the room, they would have fired him before Chia.

 

[NHbeau]

I think if he lost the room, they would have fired him before Chia.

 Or he lost the room and they plan to make some significant changes to the room. Either way I would be pretty happy if Julien stays.

 

[cshea]

2 weeks have passed since they were reportedly down to 4 finalists. They're down to 3 if Shero was considered one of the finalists.

I'm starting to think that the more this drags on the less likely it is that Sweeney gets the gig.

 

[McDrew]

I think 1 of the 4 is Babcock, and they're waiting for him to be available and interviewed before making a decision. 

 

[Titoschew]

Ummmm...Harry Sinden's role expanding at the behest of Jeremy?  
 
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/bruins_nhl/boston_bruins/2015/05/harris_harry_sinden_s_role_to_expand_with_bruins

 

[Laser Show]

I think 1 of the 4 is Babcock, and they're waiting for him to be available and interviewed before making a decision. 

Isn't he already talking to teams though?

Did you mean Gorton?

 

[cshea]

If Harry's back, just shoot me.

Pretty sure it's not Babcock. Babcock's movements have been highly publicized the past 2 weeks and as far as I know he didn't meet with the Bruins. I think Babcock is Buffalo v. Detroit. Maybe Toronto is in that mix too.

Edit: Babcock has also reiterated he has no interest in a GM role. He just wants input.

 

[cshea]

Isn't he already talking to teams though?

Did you mean Gorton?

They could be waiting on Gorton or BriseBois of the Lightning. The Rangers have publicly denied access to Gorton, I'm not sure what Tampa's policy is, or if the Bruins even asked.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

Ummmm...Harry Sinden's role expanding at the behest of Jeremy?  
 
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/bruins_nhl/boston_bruins/2015/05/harris_harry_sinden_s_role_to_expand_with_bruins

Wow, that article is loaded. From Sinden's expanded role (as advisor) to the potential GM candidates (Sweeney, Gorton, McPhee, Fenton) to the coach (letting him stay on for the start of the season) and a possible replacement (Adam Oates).
 
If all goes according to the article and we end up with Sweeney, Oates and more Sinden - I think that's a step backwards. Oates was my favorite player growing up, but I think he's a terrible coach.

 

[cshea]

It sounds horrifying, to be honest. They're getting the old boys club back together. What is next, Harry advising Jeremy to bring O'Connell back?

 

[FelixMantilla]

I can't imagine Harry will have a large role. And despite how his career finished, Harry was one of the best GM's in the history of the game. 

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Was being the key word there.
 
This is a guy who, while in the employ of the Bruins as Senior Advisor to the owner, said this about Marc Savard in 2008: 
 
 
 

"I'm not a fan of his. He's one of these guys who has batting average but no runs batted in. You know what I mean? He gets a lot of points. He's a good player, I'm just not a fan."

 
People say he's still sharp, which is fine - but he isn't fit to make decisions on the future of the franchise. I would hate this development if true.

 

[lexrageorge]

The Herald story is likely nothing more than just a bunch of idle speculation during a period when the local sports news has been focused on other matters.  I cannot imagine Sinden having much of a role at all in naming the next GM, other than perhaps a quick courtesy interview once Charlie Jacobs and Neely identify their final candidate.  If that.  Jeremy Jacobs essentially pushed him aside when he hired Chiarelli, and that resulted in the first Cup win in 39 years.  
 
And Neely wasn't made team president to have his decisions overruled by Harry Sinden.  
 
EDIT:  Sinden was at one time a great GM; the Park/Ratelle/Middleton/Neely trades were all time heists, as was the trade for the draft pick that became Raymond Bourque.  And prior to that he was a great coach.  But that was a different era.  Fun to look back on.  But hardly relevant to today's NHL. 

 

[MiracleOfO2704]

Hope everyone's ready for a shocker...
 
https://twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/601009584300515328
 

 
 
”Don has excelled in every role he has been in with the Bruins organization and has a comprehensive understanding of every aspect of our hockey operations department," said Neely. "His commitment and drive to bring a championship caliber team to the Boston fans was evident every step of the way through this search process, and I am confident that his leadership of our hockey operations department will lead to success."

 

[RedOctober3829]

Status quo.  This means Claude comes back.  Woo!!

 

[TSC]

I forget who said it where - but I'm ok with this for the following reason:
The Bruins have been good to great since Julien and Chiarelli combined. But - Chia made some mistakes that have hurt the team in the recent past.
 
Perhaps getting rid of Chiarelli - but replacing him with someone similar (Sweeny) corrects the mistakes they've made that hurt the team and gets them back on the right course via continuity of style and of ideals.
 
I obviously reserve my right to bash this idea as terrible when the team starts out 0-4 and gives a 7 year deal with a NMC to Kevan Millar.

 

[RedOctober3829]

I forget who said it where - but I'm ok with this for the following reason:
The Bruins have been good to great since Julien and Chiarelli combined. But - Chia made some mistakes that have hurt the team in the recent past.
 
Perhaps getting rid of Chiarelli - but replacing him with someone similar (Sweeny) corrects the mistakes they've made that hurt the team and gets them back on the right course via continuity of style of ideals.
 
I obviously reserve my right to bash this idea as terrible when the team starts out 0-4 and gives a 7 year deal with a NMC to Kevan Millar.

Jack Daniels for everyone??!!

 

[Reardon's Beard]

I like this all around so far. Not a surprise, but curious to see what happens next.

 

[cshea]

I'm a bit skeptical, but hope it works out. I don't understand the point of firing a guy only to replace him with his right hand man.

Edit: I'll add that while I am skeptical, I do prefer Sweeney to some of the other rumored candidates. I did not want a retread like McPhee or Shero.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Well this will be interesting. I don't think think the Bruins were an attractive job for outside candidates given that Chiarelli's recent moves have hamstrung his successor until some salary can be moved off the books.

 

[cshea]

Eh, it's a large market, high profile, original 6 job. I don't think the team's cap position would deter any external candidates.

 

[FL4WL3SS]

I'm a bit skeptical, but hope it works out. I don't understand the point of firing a guy only to replace him with his right hand man.

Edit: I'll add that while I am skeptical, I do prefer Sweeney to some of the other rumored candidates. I did not want a retread like McPhee or Shero.

I'm with you, I'm skeptical about this. Without a proven track record, it's impossible to analyze this decision, there are so many open questions.
 
I definitely agree that I like this move better than the retread route, but would like to know what they see in Sweeney over other assistant GMs. I guess the devil you know is better than the devil you don't.

 

[MiracleOfO2704]

I'm a bit skeptical, but hope it works out. I don't understand the point of firing a guy only to replace him with his right hand man.

That's about where I'm at as well. Not that this is a bad move, but if you found the last guy's body of work lacking, how big a difference can his protege make?

 

[FL4WL3SS]

Eh, it's a large market, high profile, original 6 job. I don't think the team's cap position would deter any external candidates.

Ray Shero disagrees (regardless if that was a dodged bullet or not).

 

[FL4WL3SS]

Also would like to add that as much as I'm skeptical about this decision, I'm glad they pulled the trigger instead of letting this drag on any longer. It's starting to be crunch time - although I'm sure Sweeney has been doing a lot of work behind the scenes.

 

[cshea]

Ray Shero disagrees (regardless if that was a dodged bullet or not).

True, but he also had 2 of the top 3 players in the world in place when he joined Pittsburgh.

 

[grimshaw]

He worked for someone close to me a few years ago.  Super nice guy, which is pretty much the public perception anyhow. 
He's a bit baffled by computers so hopefully the other guy in the twitter photo is one of his assistants.
I'm not adding anything whatsoever, but yay.

 

[yeahlunchbox]

I'm a bit skeptical, but hope it works out. I don't understand the point of firing a guy only to replace him with his right hand man.

 
This is where I'm at as well. There's a feeling that we've been lacking when it comes to drafting, development, and salary cap decisions the last few years. The fact that Sweeney should have had a powerful voice when it came to those decisions makes me wonder how things will be different now that he's in charge. 

 

[lexrageorge]

 
This is where I'm at as well. There's a feeling that we've been lacking when it comes to drafting, development, and salary cap decisions the last few years. The fact that Sweeney should have had a powerful voice when it came to those decisions makes me wonder how things will be different now that he's in charge. 

It's a fair criticism.  But just because Sweeney worked for Chiarelli doesn't mean he would make the same exact mistakes going forward.  He's got a lot of work to do, and his first move will be over scrutinized.  

 

[Granite Sox]

I forget who said it where - but I'm ok with this for the following reason:
The Bruins have been good to great since Julien and Chiarelli combined. But - Chia made some mistakes that have hurt the team in the recent past.
 
Perhaps getting rid of Chiarelli - but replacing him with someone similar (Sweeny) corrects the mistakes they've made that hurt the team and gets them back on the right course via continuity of style and of ideals.
 
I obviously reserve my right to bash this idea as terrible when the team starts out 0-4 and gives a 7 year deal with a NMC to Kevan Millar.

 
I'm less okay given the specter of Neely as puppeteer.  Nothing on record other than vapid cliches to suggest Neely has the slightest clue on how to build a modern NHL team.  The degree to which Sweeney can operate as his own man will be critical to the Bruins' chances for success.  I have little confidence in Neely and Junior Jacobs.

 

[cshea]

Press conference now...Sweeney says he has talked to Claude and will do so again. He says the coach is in place "at this time."

Very non-committal. Claude's getting booted.

 

[Salem's Lot]

Press conference now...Sweeney says he has talked to Claude and will do so again. He says the coach is in place "at this time."

Very non-committal. Claude's getting booted.

 
It's sounds to me like Claude has to re-interview for his job at the very least. It sounds like some assistant coaches are out.