BOSTON — Cam Neely is standing behind his head coach.
Speaking Thursday at Boston Bruins media day, the team president said that despite last season’s disappointing finish, coach Claude Julien is not on the hot season as the start of the 2015-16 campaign approaches.
“I just want to jump in on that,” Neely said after Julien was asked a question about his job security, “because I’ve read some things where people have mentioned that Claude could be on the hot seat. I think it’s unfair to say that.
“Claude’s a very good coach in this league. (Bruins general manager Don Sweeney) came to us with a plan of how he’d like to see the team play. He’s had many conversations with Claude about that. But a lot of things happen throughout the course of the year that (aren’t) necessarily just on the coach. So I think it’s unfair.
“I know why certain things are said at times, but it’s really unfair to start the season where it’s out there where the coach could be on the hot seat. I think it’s unfair to Claude.”
Julien is entering his ninth season behind the Bruins’ bench after coaching the team to the Stanley Cup playoffs in seven of the first eight. His first no-show came last season, when Boston stumbled to a 41-27-14 record and fell just two points shy of a playoff bid.
Given the Bruins’ offseason revamp, which included the ousting of former GM Peter Chiarelli and the trading away of two cornerstone players in Milan Lucic and Dougie Hamilton, there was plenty of speculation this summer that Julien might be the next to go. But the coach said he doesn’t feel any added pressure entering this season, even as he commands a group that will feature a bevy of young and new faces.
“To be honest with you, it really isn’t a burden for me,” Julien said. “It’s not a concern for me. As I’ve always said, we know as coaches what our job security is, and it’s not very big. And we’re based on our performances and assessed by people that assess not just wins and losses but the situation and expectations. I’m good where I am right now. I’m not even thinking about that. The only time I have to is when you (reporters) ask me. Other than that, I just go ahead and I do my job, and I enjoy doing my job.
“Like I said all along, I’m happy to be here. This is a place that I’ve felt really comfortable with the people around me, the organization, the city, the fan base and also, I love working for this organization. So, I just keep coming in every day, try to do my best here and try to last as long as I can.”
Thumbnail photo via Brace Hemmelgarn/USA TODAY Sports Images
