The Bruins "solved the first of their offseason questions on Wednesday by walking down the hall and hiring the man everyone knew they would" as Assistant GM Don Sweeney, who "spent 15 seasons with the Bruins, got the nod" as the eighth GM in team history, according to Amalie Benjamin of the BOSTON GLOBE. Bruins President Cam Neely said that hiring Sweeney was a process that took "longer than expected because of scheduling issues." Benjamin notes the team "got down to four candidates before opting to go with the one management knew best." Neely also acknowledged that the Bruins "did not get to speak with all of the candidates they would have liked." They were reportedly "very interested" in Rangers Assistant GM Jeff Gorton. But Rangers GM Glen Sather said that he "would not give permission for the Bruins to talk to Gorton at least until the Rangers were out of the playoffs -- and perhaps not even then" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/21). ESPN BOSTON's McDonald & Brasseur noted given Sweeney's "knowledge of the organization, in addition to his passion for the team, Neely felt that he was best for the job." Neely said that their personal friendship "wasn't a factor." Neely: "I certainly wouldn't hire a friend to be general manager of the Bruins -- it's a very important role in any organization. It's something that I know Don is going to do a great job at. That's first and foremost." McDonald & Brasseur noted one of Sweeney's "first orders of business will be addressing personnel, something he said will start with deciding the future of coach Claude Julien." Given the responsibility of handling every aspect of the team's hockey operations, Sweeney said that there "will be changes going forward" (ESPNBOSTON.com, 5/20).
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? In Massachusetts, Dan Cagen notes Neely "admitted that communication could have been better" with former GM Peter Chiarelli, but also "bristled at questions about autonomy at the top of the organization and who is actually in charge." Neely said, "I know someone wants total autonomy, I get that. But there’s a lot of great hockey minds in the organization and it’s about doing the right thing for the organization." He added, "When you have those conversations, I don’t care who's making the decision, but everyone's got to be on the same page.” Neely "exasperatedly noted that no one asks him about autonomy on the business side" (MILFORD DAILY NEWS, 5/21). In Boston, Christopher Gasper writes under the header, "Make No Mistake, This Is Cam Neely's Team." Sweeney "looks like the right man for the job, but whoever got the job was going to possess a pucks philosophy more in line with Neely or they weren’t getting the job" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/21). Also in Boston, Stephen Harris writes, "Leave Sweeney alone and let him do his job." The "extremely focused and hard-working Sweeney is well prepared to step into the GM job, prepared, in large part, by Chiarelli." Harris: "He should do well. But, like Chiarelli, Sweeney’s job will not be made easier if he has constant pressure from above" (BOSTON HERALD, 5/21).
BLAST FROM THE PAST: ESPN BOSTON's McDonald writes it was "interesting to hear" CEO Charlie Jacobs, son of Owner Jeremy Jacobs, "talk about a new era in the Bruins' organization." In reality, this next chapter "appears to be a return to what Bruins hockey was for decades" before Chiarelli spent nine seasons as the team's GM. After Chiarelli took over in the '06-07 season, Senior Adviser Harry Sinden's "voice wasn't heard as much." The Bruins "needed a new direction, and Chiarelli took charge in delivering it." It now appears that Sinden's voice "will be heard once again." Neely explained that Sinden "sat in on a few of the GM interviews." Neely: "I've know Harry close to 30 years at a professional level. Harry was there more to advise a little bit, and for me to bounce things off of. I thought it was important. He has a lot of institutional knowledge, not just in the organization, but the NHL in general" (ESPNBOSTON.com, 5/20).
OIL SLICK: NESN.com's Nicholas Goss reported Neely yesterday confirmed that the Bruins are "seeking compensation from the Oilers" after the club hired Chiarelli as President & GM last month. Chiarelli was fired by the Bruins on April 15, but they "still are owed a second-round draft pick as compensation under NHL rules." But the Oilers "don’t have to give the Bruins a pick" from the '15 NHL Draft. Neely said the Oilers “have the choice to give it the next three years" (NESN.com, 5/20).
