Anthony Travalgia: Firing Bruce Cassidy is not the answer

Anthony Travalgia: Firing Bruce Cassidy is not the answer
- Anthony Travalgia

Anthony, nice job here. In particular:

Brandon Carlo and Matt Grzelcyk failing to meet expectations, getting exposed on a nightly basis in the playoffs is not breaking news.

These 2 have been exposed for what they are, which is just average. I know Grzelyck has come out stated needs surgery but he was bad all year. Carlo has never impressed me especially in the post season. He is either hurt or constantly makes bad passes, gets pinned in his own zone, and cannot clear the slot. Very very overrated and ineffective player.

Tough to put together a gourmet meal without quality ingredients.

Charlie McAvoy & Jeremy Swayman. These are the only draft picks made by Don Sweeny that are having a positive or any impact on the roster.

It amazes he is going to be extended. The team has missed the mark every year he's been running the show save 2019(simply can't call making the final a failure IMO).He also as you stated hasn't delivered on replacing Bergeron & Krejci.

I know at my job and I'm sure for many others, when you set goals and do not meet them you at least get put on a P.I.P. or you're terminated.

If ownership is so interested in "playoff gates" wouldn't the goal be as many as possible and not just 4? Then how do both Neely and Sweeney still have jobs?

If they fire Cassidy, I may seriously consider packing all my bruins poop into a box a tucking it away into my attic until these bozos are out.

From top to bottom, organizationally the Boston Bruins have issues. But find me a professional sports franchise that doesn’t.

This is some insane hyperbole. Majority of sports franchises are not complete disasters and Bruins aren't either. Solid team that is likely on an inevitable decline that went 7 games with a top contender.

Oilers are probably the worst managed organization and even they inadvertently have some success.

Great write up Anthony.


I dont get it. Neely is a complete (frank)ing poopshow as an executive. Really (frank)ing classy to blame the coach. Was really hoping they would fire Neely and Sweeney and give Bruce another year under a new vision.

Nah, business as usual at the end of the day. Now lets watch Sweeney with a fresh contract make some fresh poop signings this summer. What a joke.

Anthony, nice job here. In particular:



These 2 have been exposed for what they are, which is just average. I know Grzelyck has come out stated needs surgery but he was bad all year. Carlo has never impressed me especially in the post season. He is either hurt or constantly makes bad passes, gets pinned in his own zone, and cannot clear the slot. Very very overrated and ineffective player.



Charlie McAvoy & Jeremy Swayman. These are the only draft picks made by Don Sweeny that are having a positive or any impact on the roster.

It amazes he is going to be extended. The team has missed the mark every year he's been running the show save 2019(simply can't call making the final a failure IMO).He also as you stated hasn't delivered on replacing Bergeron & Krejci.

I know at my job and I'm sure for many others, when you set goals and do not meet them you at least get put on a P.I.P. or you're terminated.

If ownership is so interested in "playoff gates" wouldn't the goal be as many as possible and not just 4? Then how do both Neely and Sweeney still have jobs?

If they fire Cassidy, I may seriously consider packing all my bruins poop into a box a tucking it away into my attic until these bozos are out.
- glove_was_stuck

Wonder how firing the coach will impact Bergy's decision to come back. After watching this executive circus, I certainly wouldn't want to.

Anthony, nice job here. In particular:



These 2 have been exposed for what they are, which is just average. I know Grzelyck has come out stated needs surgery but he was bad all year. Carlo has never impressed me especially in the post season. He is either hurt or constantly makes bad passes, gets pinned in his own zone, and cannot clear the slot. Very very overrated and ineffective player.



Charlie McAvoy & Jeremy Swayman. These are the only draft picks made by Don Sweeny that are having a positive or any impact on the roster.

It amazes he is going to be extended. The team has missed the mark every year he's been running the show save 2019(simply can't call making the final a failure IMO).He also as you stated hasn't delivered on replacing Bergeron & Krejci.

I know at my job and I'm sure for many others, when you set goals and do not meet them you at least get put on a P.I.P. or you're terminated.

If ownership is so interested in "playoff gates" wouldn't the goal be as many as possible and not just 4? Then how do both Neely and Sweeney still have jobs?

If they fire Cassidy, I may seriously consider packing all my bruins poop into a box a tucking it away into my attic until these bozos are out.
- glove_was_stuck

is that one spot you could blame Cassidy for? A couple years ago, it looked like Carlo would develop into a great defensman, but then he stopped developing. I don't hate him, but you cant ask too much of him and he should be more developed at this point in his career. He's like Hal Gill in that respect, big guy that plays small.

This guy Sweeney inherited a solid core when he took over and for the most part missed on plenty. Just look at this years signings. Nosek and foligno improve the bottom 6 . More scoring better depth harder to play against. Really!! Nosek one goal since January and Foligno the speed demon give you more than Kuraly and Ritchie ? Can’t be the cap savings because they cost more. Shi-t Aciarri who he let go is better .Defense - Forbert picked it up but still Chara was more valuable and cheaper than all his replacements. He misread the Krecji situation and still has Grzelyck penciled in as a top a dman. Not too confident this is the guy to find replacements for 2 top centers . Look at what he had to work with when he took over . Bergy,krecji, chara , Rask , Krug etc. . He is going to do better now ?

This is some insane hyperbole. Majority of sports franchises are not complete disasters and Bruins aren't either. Solid team that is likely on an inevitable decline that went 7 games with a top contender.

Oilers are probably the worst managed organization and even they inadvertently have some success.
- jfkst1

Oil might be worse (PCs fingerprints are more recent) but that does not take away fact Bruins are in trouble.

They don't have a 1C to replace Bergeron. Heck, they don't really have a 2C. Watch how bad the Bruins are when Bergeron is no longer on the team.

Oil might be worse (PCs fingerprints are more recent) but that does not take away fact Bruins are in trouble.

They don't have a 1C to replace Bergeron. Heck, they don't really have a 2C. Watch how bad the Bruins are when Bergeron is no longer on the team.
- Nasty_Duck

Yeah. Going to be interesting to see what the good Ol' boys do with less than 3m in cap space and a roster full of passengers. If Bergy wants to come back, they will need to clear a contract or two to make room. What a mess

Oil might be worse (PCs fingerprints are more recent) but that does not take away fact Bruins are in trouble.

They don't have a 1C to replace Bergeron. Heck, they don't really have a 2C. Watch how bad the Bruins are when Bergeron is no longer on the team.
- Nasty_Duck

Bruins had their competitive window and now are in decline. Same with Pens and Caps. That is inevitable in a hard salary cap entry draft league. Oilers have worse management and have nothing of significance other than some lottery luck.

To me, there's failure across the board.

2015 Draft ... That's not on Bruce.

Signing Foligno? Not Bruce.

Playing Foligno over Blidh or ANYONE else? That's Bruce.

Stubbornness in personnell decisions? Bruce.

Rumor is that Cassidy isn't the most well-liked guy by the players. But he's trying to make chicken salad out of chicken sh!t.

Bruins are very top heavy, then a sharp decline in talent. That's not Bruce's fault.

Clean house and start fresh all around. Bruins office and management needs a thorough douching.

To me, there's failure across the board.

2015 Draft ... That's not on Bruce.

Signing Foligno? Not Bruce.

Playing Foligno over Blidh or ANYONE else? That's Bruce.

Stubbornness in personnell decisions? Bruce.

Rumor is that Cassidy isn't the most well-liked guy by the players. But he's trying to make chicken salad out of chicken sh!t.

Bruins are very top heavy, then a sharp decline in talent. That's not Bruce's fault.

Clean house and start fresh all around. Bruins office and management needs a thorough douching.
- JEFF SPICOLI

I suspect Bruce is back but most if not all of his staff is not. That being said, Trotz hasn't signed anywhere yet so they could be having conversations...

Yeah. Going to be interesting to see what the good Ol' boys do with less than 3m in cap space and a roster full of passengers. If Bergy wants to come back, they will need to clear a contract or two to make room. What a mess
- dothedougie

the cap is 82.5 next year and they are at

It will be interesting. We are either going to see a lot of turnover or not much at all. Hopefully a hockey trade or two to bring in an actual play maker. Outside of Marchand/Pasta and to a lesser extent Haula/Debrusk the Bruins are lacking when it comes to offensive creativity. Too many straight line players and it showed on the road against Carolina. A lot of panic and no one to make a play.

I am assuming that Reilly will be moved and they will do something to free up the Foligno money. So that will be 5+ million moved.

I suspect Bruce is back but most if not all of his staff is not. That being said, Trotz hasn't signed anywhere yet so they could be having conversations...
- bluemoon737

I don't think the Bruins need Trotz. He needs to go to a team that doesn't have a defensive structure. Ie, Winnipeg.

The Bruins teamwide are defensively solid already. They need to work on offense now. An offense that isn't just, throw the puck to the net and hope. Bring in an offensive minded assistant coach and go from there. Like a Marc Savard. I know he's coaching elsewhere but someone along those lines.

Sweeney said it perfectly today. "It’s great to be idealistic and say, ‘OK, every clean breakout leads to a great transitional play through the rush.’ That’s what forwards want, But when the other team does what they’re supposed to do, that doesn’t necessarily present. So how do you create in-zone?"

This is absolutely something they need to work on next year.

To me, there's failure across the board.

2015 Draft ... That's not on Bruce.

Signing Foligno? Not Bruce.

Playing Foligno over Blidh or ANYONE else? That's Bruce.

Stubbornness in personnell decisions? Bruce.

Rumor is that Cassidy isn't the most well-liked guy by the players. But he's trying to make chicken salad out of chicken sh!t.

Bruins are very top heavy, then a sharp decline in talent. That's not Bruce's fault.

Clean house and start fresh all around. Bruins office and management needs a thorough douching.
- JEFF SPICOLI

Cassidy has to play with the cards he was handed.

What is Blidh bringing to the table? His 12 pts in 70 career games?

the cap is 82.5 next year and they are at

It will be interesting. We are either going to see a lot of turnover or not much at all. Hopefully a hockey trade or two to bring in an actual play maker. Outside of Marchand/Pasta and to a lesser extent Haula/Debrusk the Bruins are lacking when it comes to offensive creativity. Too many straight line players and it showed on the road against Carolina. A lot of panic and no one to make a play.

I am assuming that Reilly will be moved and they will do something to free up the Foligno money. So that will be 5+ million moved.
- Mahewman

Agreed. I hope they clean out more than just Reilly on the back end. Anyone not named Lindholm or McAvoy should be in consideration for a new home.

Cassidy has to play with the cards he was handed.

What is Blidh bringing to the table? His 12 pts in 70 career games?
- Nasty_Duck

Would have liked to see Steen. He really turned up his game after being sent down. I think he will develop into a middle 6 guy.

I honestly would have liked to see anyone but Foligno play. Foligno is great with the community, but I think its time for him to hang them up. He isnt bringing much to the table right now. Roll the dice on a young guy that is hungry.

Would have liked to see Steen. He really turned up his game after being sent down. I think he will develop into a middle 6 guy.

I honestly would have liked to see anyone but Foligno play. Foligno is great with the community, but I think its time for him to hang them up. He isnt bringing much to the table right now. Roll the dice on a young guy that is hungry.
- dothedougie

Oh I agree. Bruins should never have signed Foligno. That's on Sweeney, not Cassidy.

Oh I agree. Bruins should never have signed Foligno. That's on Sweeney, not Cassidy.
- Nasty_Duck

Oh for sure. Terrible signing. Bruce continued to play him though. Should have been riding the press box since about December.

If we got the foligno from three or four years ago, might be a different story. But his effectiveness has nose dived into the dirt.

Lot of efforts that can be called into question here in the playoffs and this season in general but its all done now. The impending Sweeney extension doesnt leave a great feeling going into the off season.

Any guesses as to what moves we are going to see?

Oh for sure. Terrible signing. Bruce continued to play him though. Should have been riding the press box since about December.

If we got the foligno from three or four years ago, might be a different story. But his effectiveness has nose dived into the dirt.

Lot of efforts that can be called into question here in the playoffs and this season in general but its all done now. The impending Sweeney extension doesnt leave a great feeling going into the off season.

Any guesses as to what moves we are going to see?
- dothedougie

All depends on Bergeron. If he's not back, all bets are off.

Bruce isn't the problem. The fact that Neely seems to think he is, and Don isn't, is the biggest problem this team has.

So I think what they're saying is "If we get Trotz Bruce won't be back"

Bring back Clauuuuuuuude!

Wonder how firing the coach will impact Bergy's decision to come back. After watching this executive circus, I certainly wouldn't want to.
- dothedougie

Cassidy really put Marchand and Bergeron into high gear offensively. i’m sure they like him as their coach.
Once Claude was gone Cassidy really opened things up and allowed these guys to flourish. Leading scorers on Claude’s teams have 50-60pts

The 2015 draft was the major blunder Sweeney has never been able to recover from and has been in quicksand ever since. The wheels were in motion to quickly retool. Lucic and Dougie were out the door and they ended up with multiple 1sts and 2nds. He proceeded to draft Senyshyn, Zboril, JFK, and Lauzon and then Frederic in 2016.
Sweeney could have had the well documented Barzal/Chabot and in 2016 Debrincat.

Cassidy came in and saved the day. The Bruins core turned things around quickly and they were off to the races but still come 2022 they have been screaming for depth and constantly searching for added pieces. Don’s shortfalls at the draft have caused him to reach at the deadline (Rick Nash for a 1st and Lindgren). Not to mention the brain dead FA signings in 2021. It’s just one bandaid after another.
The common denominator is they just don’t have the depth at key positions to advance further in the playoffs. If Don had drafted better, they would have the key pieces to compliment the core.