There are two distinct advantages in hiring a new general manager from within the organization: the minimal amount of adjustments and the small learning curve involved. The GM already understands the team’s prospects, its on-ice philosophy and has relationships with the coaching staff and players.
These are among the reasons why Don Sweeney should make a smooth transition to his new role of Boston Bruins general manager, a move the team announced Wednesday morning.
“I am fully aware of everyone’s expectations to move the organization forward,” Sweeney said in a team release. “The challenges ahead rests with the players, the coaches and the management group to work hard to make the necessary changes to bring the Bruins back to the forefront of contending for the Stanley Cup.”
The Bruins are at a critical time in their window to compete for a Stanley Cup. Injuries, some under-performing veterans and inconsistent special teams cost the team an opportunity to compete in the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs, but a couple of smart moves quickly could vault the Original Six club right back into the Eastern Conference playoff mix. After all, the Bruins still finished with 96 points this season, the most of any non-playoff team in NHL history.
One of the best ways Boston can rebuild a championship roster is by making a good first-round pick in the upcoming NHL draft.
The B’s — at least so far — have struck gold with their first-round choice from last year. David Pastrnak played a key role in the Bruins’ success as a rookie this season with his scoring production (27 points in 46 games) and speed. If we re-did the 2014 draft tomorrow, the 18-year-old right winger would be a top 10 pick, and maybe even top 5.
Boston will select 14th overall next month, its highest draft position since 2011. Sweeney’s specialty is player development, which will help the Bruins in the draft.
In his previous roles as Bruins assistant general manager and general manager of the AHL’s Providence Bruins, Sweeney developed a great understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of many of the team’s prospects. This will help him make smart decisions when it comes to possible trades or deciding which players to call up to Boston when injuries and other factors test the Bruins’ depth next season.
Sweeney has been a central figure at the team’s development camp, and he’s often among the coaches on the ice giving feedback to players during practice drills in training camp and the preseason.
This is Sweeney’s first GM job at the NHL level, but it’s not an entirely new world for him after working under Peter Chiarelli for many years and being able to see what kind responsibilities come with the position. Sweeney is a smart hockey guy with a better understanding of the organization’s players from the NHL level to the lowest prospects than most, if not all the team’s front office people.
He’s a good choice for this job as someone who can help surround the Bruins’ core — Tuukka Rask, Patrice Bergeron, Dougie Hamilton, etc. — with good young players from Providence and the draft.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@BDCBruins
