i honestly think they change some big pieces. hope so anyway.
- Niatnouf

I don't think they are going to change any big pieces. I can't remember if it was Sweeney, but at his first press conference they stated that they believe the team is in really good shape the way it is currently, and that it's not going to take big changes to return to a cup contending team.

Personally I wouldn't mind seeing them stir up the pot a bit and make some changes... I just think it's gotten a little stale here recently. I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again... I think we're screwed with Chara for the next 3 years. He's just not close to the player he used to be. He's got too much pride to hang them up, so we're going to be stuck watching him get torched for the next 3 years... For $7 mil a year, that will essentially keep us from getting other pieces we need.

Even if we could trade chara, what are the chances Neely lets that happen? My guess would be next to none. Same with Lucic. Neely is in love with him, and has the final say on any trade. Neely will nix any trade that will send players he likes out of town. Count on it.

I think we aren't giving Seidenberg enough credit. He had a meh year due to injury, but seemed to get in better form near the end of the season. I believe by the time the season starts in October, he will be in the same shape he was over the passed several seasons as a solid number 2-3 shutdown D. Problem is if/when he gets injured again................
- Videoj

I completely agree with this.. I thought Seidenberg looked REALLY good at the end of last season. I thought he looked like he was on the top of his game, and I hope that carries over into next season. I always thought Seidenberg was highly underrated pre-knee injury. Hopefully he can stay healthy!

Even if we could trade chara, what are the chances Neely lets that happen? My guess would be next to none. Same with Lucic. Neely is in love with him, and has the final say on any trade. Neely will nix any trade that will send players he likes out of town. Count on it.
- dothedougie

I don't know if Chara is Neely's dude though. I thought he was more connected with Chia then anyone else? I think you are spot on with Lucic though. Looch is the closest thing the Bs have had to Neely since Neely. I still like Lucic a lot, I just think he had crap luck last year. Had a rough time finding consistent linemates until later in the year with Spooner and Pastrnak.

I think we're missing Shawn Thornton more than anyone realizes. And I don't think it's his play on the ice that we're missing, I think it's his intensity, his leadership, and his willingness to stand up for his team, and keep people accountable. I understand the league is moving to this faster/skilled 4 line system, but I don't think that's the only way you can be successful. If Neely wants to go back to the Big Bad Bruins, then we need someone like Thornton rolling on that 4th line keeping people in check (on other teams and our own). The thing with Thornton was he could play a little bit... and he wasn't just some goon looking to fight people. We need someone like that again.

Even if we could trade chara, what are the chances Neely lets that happen? My guess would be next to none. Same with Lucic. Neely is in love with him, and has the final say on any trade. Neely will nix any trade that will send players he likes out of town. Count on it.
- dothedougie

i really think you're overstating Neely's intrusion on these things. Neely knows what kind of cap hell they are in and that they need to fix it. that's why they fired chiarelli. changes will be made. they have to and they all realize it.

I don't think they are going to change any big pieces. I can't remember if it was Sweeney, but at his first press conference they stated that they believe the team is in really good shape the way it is currently, and that it's not going to take big changes to return to a cup contending team.

Personally I wouldn't mind seeing them stir up the pot a bit and make some changes... I just think it's gotten a little stale here recently. I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again... I think we're screwed with Chara for the next 3 years. He's just not close to the player he used to be. He's got too much pride to hang them up, so we're going to be stuck watching him get torched for the next 3 years... For $7 mil a year, that will essentially keep us from getting other pieces we need.
- mixturebill

then why fire the guy that created the mess? i know he said what he (sweeney) said and i took it as we don't need a total rebuild. and we don't. but we can't go into the season with replacing soderberg and the 4th line as the plan. we need to move money somewhere.

i really think you're overstating Neely's intrusion on these things. Neely knows what kind of cap hell they are in and that they need to fix it. that's why they fired chiarelli. changes will be made. they have to and they all realize it.
- Niatnouf

I might be, but I guess not much can be proven until we all see what this new management structure can do. Like I said, I hope I'm wrong, but this is the impression I get from what is going on. I am by no means an expert.

I might be, but I guess not much can be proven until we all see what this new management structure can do. Like I said, I hope I'm wrong, but this is the impression I get from what is going on. I am by no means an expert.
- dothedougie

then why fire the guy that created the mess? i know he said what he (sweeney) said and i took it as we don't need a total rebuild. and we don't. but we can't go into the season with replacing soderberg and the 4th line as the plan. we need to move money somewhere.
- Niatnouf

They do need to move some money. You're right. But will they move big pieces? Who knows. I'm more concerned about Dougie getting a contract. If I'm the GM, that is my number 1 priority. Dont care if he is under team control, time to lock him up.

- Charlie.Conway

Just one guy's opinion......... (e3)

In the Ek Blog: "Look for the Bruins to make Julien staying another year official as early as tomorrow"

If that's the case, they should hopefully sign Dougie SOON

In the Ek Blog: "Look for the Bruins to make Julien staying another year official as early as tomorrow"

If that's the case, they should hopefully sign Dougie SOON
- Charlie.Conway

I hope so.

I might be, but I guess not much can be proven until we all see what this new management structure can do. Like I said, I hope I'm wrong, but this is the impression I get from what is going on. I am by no means an expert.
- dothedougie

ah. i am.

In the Ek Blog: "Look for the Bruins to make Julien staying another year official as early as tomorrow"

If that's the case, they should hopefully sign Dougie SOON
- Charlie.Conway

This needs to be done yesterday.

then why fire the guy that created the mess? i know he said what he (sweeney) said and i took it as we don't need a total rebuild. and we don't. but we can't go into the season with replacing soderberg and the 4th line as the plan. we need to move money somewhere.
- Niatnouf

I think Chia's firing was more based on the way Boston sports work then it was a real "we need to get rid of this guy, and get rid of him now" kind of move. I think it was more because Jacobs came out in the middle of the season and said that heads will roll if we don't make the playoffs. And with all the success in Boston sports (not just Bruins, just Boston in general) people just aren't used to failure. So I think it was mostly the media who were calling for people to be fired, even if it wasn't necessarily the right thing to do. Now I'm not trying to stick up for Chia, as I do think he's made some poor choices over the past few years... But I think we could have been totally fine with him, as long as someone kept his NTC cannon under control. And I think he probably would have kept his job if it wasn't for the brash comments of Jacobs mid way through the season.

I think Chia's firing was more based on the way Boston sports work then it was a real "we need to get rid of this guy, and get rid of him now" kind of move. I think it was more because Jacobs came out in the middle of the season and said that heads will roll if we don't make the playoffs. And with all the success in Boston sports (not just Bruins, just Boston in general) people just aren't used to failure. So I think it was mostly the media who were calling for people to be fired, even if it wasn't necessarily the right thing to do. Now I'm not trying to stick up for Chia, as I do think he's made some poor choices over the past few years... But I think we could have been totally fine with him, as long as someone kept his NTC cannon under control. And I think he probably would have kept his job if it wasn't for the brash comments of Jacobs mid way through the season.
- mixturebill

We get a second round pick out of it sometime in the next three drafts.

ah. i am.
- Niatnouf

- dothedougie

ah. i am.
- Niatnouf

A hail Khaleesi.

A hail Khaleesi.
- glove_was_stuck

I think Chia's firing was more based on the way Boston sports work then it was a real "we need to get rid of this guy, and get rid of him now" kind of move. I think it was more because Jacobs came out in the middle of the season and said that heads will roll if we don't make the playoffs. And with all the success in Boston sports (not just Bruins, just Boston in general) people just aren't used to failure. So I think it was mostly the media who were calling for people to be fired, even if it wasn't necessarily the right thing to do. Now I'm not trying to stick up for Chia, as I do think he's made some poor choices over the past few years... But I think we could have been totally fine with him, as long as someone kept his NTC cannon under control. And I think he probably would have kept his job if it wasn't for the brash comments of Jacobs mid way through the season.
- mixturebill

i think there was more to it internally than just doing what is done in boston sports and the media, etc. i think there was a need for change and that they made a move they thought they needed to make. mike felger had very little to do with it.

A hail Khaleesi.
- glove_was_stuck

i think there was more to it internally than just doing what is done in boston sports and the media, etc. i think there was a need for change and that they made a move they thought they needed to make. mike felger had very little to do with it.
- Niatnouf

Valid point. Like I said, I wasn't trying to stick up for Chia... I think it was the right move, I just think that the Jacobs comments/cries from the media had a lot to do with it.

Valid point. Like I said, I wasn't trying to stick up for Chia... I think it was the right move, I just think that the Jacobs comments/cries from the media had a lot to do with it.
- mixturebill

he's a little turd isn't he?

- dothedougie