BOSTON—Boston
Bruins’ President Cam Neely made it clear that the team will look extensively
for their new general manager upon the firing of Peter Chiarelli. Although
Neely has not spoken publicly about candidates he has particular interest in,
many assume internal candidate Don Sweeney will earn the job.
Initially, the move makes
sense. As in internal candidate, Sweeney knows the Bruins organization better
than any other candidate. As a former teammate of Neely, he presumably will
work well as a President-general manager combo. However, if one further
investigates the situation, Neely should not grant Sweeney the position.
According to csnne.com
writer Joe Haggarty, Sweeney has handled contract negotiations, trades
discussions and player scouting and development. These are the main reasons why
Neely said he fired Chiarelli during his press conference. Neely felt as if
management did not handle these three things well, leading to salary cap issues
and failure to draft NHL capable talent over the last several years.
If Neely feels so
strongly that management failed in these areas, he should not promote the man
that Haggarty writes contributed immensely towards. The team is littered with
player-friendly contracts to Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron and Dennis
Seidenberg. They have had many draft duds in Zach Hamill, Joe Colburne and
Jordan Caron. If Neely wants this to change, he needs to look outside of the
organization.
He needs to look at
assistant general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks, Norm Maciver.
A former assistant coach
to the Boston Bruins from 2003 through 2006, Maciver has spent time in each of
the most crucial roles in hockey. Maciver has played in the NHL, held a coaching
position and a managing position.
Maciver has also shown he
has the capability to succeed. As assistant general manager of one of the best
organizations this decade in the Chicago Blackhawks, Maciver has been part of
most decisions. He has worked with development and personnel before. His best
products include forwards Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, two of the league’s
elite players. The system he works with in Chicago fits what Neely has asked
for: faster transitions that leads to many scoring opportunities.
If Neely and the Bruins
organization want change, they need to look outside of the organization. They
need to change the identity of the Bruins. They need to adapt to the changes
within the league. No longer are the days that defense dominates the league.
Maciver provides the
best option for the Bruins. Not only does he have the resume to prove his
worth, he has experience in every role in the NHL. Maciver’s experience is too
much for the Bruins to pass on. If they want change, this man should to lead to
way for the Bruins.
