While Boston is distracted by the Patriots’ very shiny Superbowl trophy, the Bruins General Manager, Don Sweeney, announced in a press release Tuesday morning that Bruins coach Claude Julien, a 10 season Bruins coach, has been relieved of his duties. His interim replacement is Assistant Coach Bruce Cassidy, who said in his opening statement at a Bruins press conference this afternoon, “we’re not that far away from winning games.”
In a contrasting mood, the Patriots’ Superbowl parade began at 11 a.m. this morning, celebrating a day of team spirit for the New England Patriots in Boston. The timing of the Bruins announcement has some fans questioning if the news may steal the Patriots thunder, while others see it as an attempt to double-down on a Boston team spirit day. Also scheduled before noon is the first Bruins practice run by Cassidy, making one very long morning for Boston.
In a press conference this afternoon, Sweeney said, “I had taken a few days to assess where we’re at and came to my decision to make a change with regards to Claude. First of all, I want to thank Claude. I want to acknowledge the level of success that he has achieved as a coach of the Boston Bruins.. I felt that there was a level of frustration on our wins and losses and what he would be subjected to on a nightly basis, and felt that we would be in a better position moving forward to allow our players to be assessed on an individual level. For me, as a general manager, to be assessed on a personnel level, to be making the decisions going forward on who’s part of our group.”
Throughout the conference, Sweeney emphasized that the timing of the announcement was not an attempt to take away from the Patriots victory. Sweeney suggested that a direction change at this point in the season could mean the difference between a shot at the playoffs and not qualifying, and it is a shot he is willing to take rather than wonder, ‘what if?’
A major tenent of Sweeney and Cassidy’s new strategy is bringing in new, young talent when they are ready. Sweeney said, “they’re not here now and they’re not able to help us today, but that’s part of the patience.”
To earn the title of Boston’s all-time coaching wins leader, Julien produced a 419-246-94 record in his time with the Bruins. Before the move out of Boston, Julien was the NHL’s longest tenured active head coach. The Bruins are currently ranked fourth in the NHL Atlantic Division standings.
Last year, the Bruins finished in fourth place of the Atlantic Division. In the 2014-2015 season, the Bruins finished in fifth place. Prior, Julien coached the Bruins to the 2014 Stanley Cup championship and the 2013 Stanley Cup final. Julien brought the Bruins to qualify for the playoffs during seven out of the nine years with the team. Julien also holds the club career coaching record, counting 57 postseason wins.
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