It looks like General Manager Don Sweeney and President Cam Neely will be staying put in Boston — at least for now. In a recent statement from Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs, there was no mention of front office changes, but strong hints suggest both Sweeney and Neely are already focused on fixing what went wrong during a disappointing, playoff-less season.
Jacobs acknowledged fans’ frustration in his message on Wednesday, admitting the season didn’t meet expectations and that accountability is at an all-time high. While he didn’t directly confirm the futures of Sweeney or Neely, he did say, “It’s clear that we have a lot of work to do, and that work is already underway.” He added that the hockey operations staff is already preparing for the NHL Draft and looking to improve the roster through free agency.
Even before Jacobs’ comments, NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported that no changes were expected at the top, noting that Sweeney and Neely were “in lockstep” and already working on reshaping the team. Reporter Joe Haggerty echoed that sentiment, noting Sweeney is entering the final year of his contract and has earned a chance to turn things around after making some smart trade deadline moves to stockpile assets.
The Bruins organization seems to agree. Sweeney appears to be on the clock, with the upcoming season serving as a critical opportunity to prove he can guide the franchise back to contention. If he can’t? Expect serious changes by next summer.