In Bruins GM Search, Neely Should Look Externally

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.