Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney Surprisingly Owns Up To Massive Mistake Made During The NHL Trade Deadline
Photo credit: Boston Herald
On Wednesday, the Boston Bruins upper management in Charlie Jacobs, Cam Neely, and Don Sweeney met with the media for the end of season press conference, and Don Sweeney admitted to a massive mistake he made.
All three acknowledged that this was an unacceptable season for the Boston Bruins, but all believe that if they had not lost both Hampus Lindholm, and Charlie McAvoy to injuries, they might have been in a different position instead of missing the playoffs for the first time in eight years.
«We've spoken at great length about this: The team that we currently have, (if) healthy and with the additions we intend to make this summer, I anticipate that we'll have a playoff team and play meaningful hockey at this time of year in 2026,» Jacobs said.
After the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, the Boston Bruins decided to make franchise altering trades, sending Brad Marchand, Charlie Coyle, Trent Frederic, and Brandon Carlo all to different teams at the NHL trade deadline. All of these players played pivotal roles for the Bruins especially on the penalty kill.
Don Sweeney makes a massive mistake during the NHL trade deadline
The forwards the Bruins ended up trading stood out the most, but the biggest lost might have been Brandon Carlo, and if the Bruins are unable to find a replacement for him in the off-season, this would be a massive mistake for Don Sweeney and the Boston Bruins.
«It's going to be a combination of both,» Sweeney said. «You saw players step into the vacancies of those situations and, at times, do a pretty good job, and other times struggle.
«Those are unique qualities that players grow into. They're not ready-made. Brandon, in his case, is an elite penalty killer in the National Hockey League and Charlie Coyle is as well. That's why their teams are going to have success in the playoffs.»
Sweeney added: «We lost quality people and quality players. That's what made it so professionally and personally painful at the deadline, because they've been successful, they're going to continue to be successful. And it's an opportunity for somebody else to come in to take over those minutes.»
«Those are unique qualities that players grow into. They're not ready-made. Brandon, in his case, is an elite penalty killer in the National Hockey League and Charlie Coyle is as well. That's why their teams are going to have success in the playoffs.»
Sweeney added: «We lost quality people and quality players. That's what made it so professionally and personally painful at the deadline, because they've been successful, they're going to continue to be successful. And it's an opportunity for somebody else to come in to take over those minutes.»
With the Bruins not in the playoffs this year, Don Sweeney and his staff with have the opportunity to watch some of the younger players in the organization.
«Providence is entering the playoffs, we're going to see how they respond and see whether or not they can grow and graduate, for lack of a better term, graduate to be able to do it in the National Hockey League,» Sweeney said. «And if not, we'll have to address it from the outside and probably bring in a little bit more experience.»
Previously on Bruins Insider
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 26 | 246 ANSWERS Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney Surprisingly Owns Up To Massive Mistake Made During The NHL Trade Deadline Do you think Don Sweeney is going to be able to fix this mistake he made during the NHL trade deadline? | ||
| Yes | 41 | 16.7 % |
| No | 205 | 83.3 % |
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