http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/...structed_bruins_can_be_playoff_team_next_year
“It was kind of an up-and-down few weeks for Don and the organization,” said Neely as he watched the B’s development camp this week at Ristuccia Arena.
In broad strokes, the B’s had a rough first day at NHL draft weekend – losing key regulars Dougie Hamilton and Milan Lucic and getting little or nothing in return that would help the B’s return to the playoffs next season.
Sweeney, Neely and the Bruins were mercilessly ripped by fans and media alike.
But as events continued to unfold over the ensuing days, it became clear the team had acquired a number of good prospects. It also had cleared cap space, and was able to trade for Jimmy Hayes and sign top free agent Matt Beleskey.
Suddenly, the perception of the team – and its management – changed 180 degrees.
“Don put a plan together that he thought we could at least try to execute,” said Neely. “We believed that if we did (execute the plan), we’d end up kind of where we are now: We’ve got some cap space, we have replenished our (prospects) system for sure, we feel really good about this past draft and the people we’ve brought in. We’re excited about the future.”
“There’s lots of parity in the East,” he said. “It’s going to be tight, it’s going to be a challenge. I think we can be a playoff team. I don’t want to sound like that’s our only goal – just to be a playoff team, that’s not a very high goal. We’re past that.
“But I want to see us improve certainly from were we were last year. I think if guys can continue to improve – (David) Pastrnak, (Brett) Connolly, (Ryan) Spooner -- I don’t see why we can’t have a very good year this year.”
“It was kind of an up-and-down few weeks for Don and the organization,” said Neely as he watched the B’s development camp this week at Ristuccia Arena.
In broad strokes, the B’s had a rough first day at NHL draft weekend – losing key regulars Dougie Hamilton and Milan Lucic and getting little or nothing in return that would help the B’s return to the playoffs next season.
Sweeney, Neely and the Bruins were mercilessly ripped by fans and media alike.
But as events continued to unfold over the ensuing days, it became clear the team had acquired a number of good prospects. It also had cleared cap space, and was able to trade for Jimmy Hayes and sign top free agent Matt Beleskey.
Suddenly, the perception of the team – and its management – changed 180 degrees.
“Don put a plan together that he thought we could at least try to execute,” said Neely. “We believed that if we did (execute the plan), we’d end up kind of where we are now: We’ve got some cap space, we have replenished our (prospects) system for sure, we feel really good about this past draft and the people we’ve brought in. We’re excited about the future.”
“There’s lots of parity in the East,” he said. “It’s going to be tight, it’s going to be a challenge. I think we can be a playoff team. I don’t want to sound like that’s our only goal – just to be a playoff team, that’s not a very high goal. We’re past that.
“But I want to see us improve certainly from were we were last year. I think if guys can continue to improve – (David) Pastrnak, (Brett) Connolly, (Ryan) Spooner -- I don’t see why we can’t have a very good year this year.”
