Boston Bruins The 2010s | A Decade in Review
- Thread starter Fenway
- Start date
smithformeragent
Moderator
Bruins’ Cam Neely has overseen a decade of excellence - The Boston Globe
With all respect to Jeremy Jacobs, at the ownership helm since 1975; Patrice Bergeron, who was playing at or near the peak of his powers for most of the 2010s; and Zdeno Chara, who very well may be chugging along in No. 33 when we review the 2020s, there is one figure that represents the past decade in Bruins history.
Cam Neely was named team president on June 16, 2010, charged with making the hockey and business decisions that shaped the franchise. They included the May 2015 hire of a general manager, Don Sweeney, who hired a coach, Bruce Cassidy. Both internal promotions, and the right ones. Did Neely himself choose all 140 players who wore Black and Gold the past 10 years? No, but in the sense the hockey buck stops at his desk, he was responsible for every one.
The on-ice results are what matter most, and since the 2010-11 season only Pittsburgh and Washington have a better winning percentage (.633) than Boston, which has one Stanley Cup title and three Final appearances (tied for most).
With all respect to Jeremy Jacobs, at the ownership helm since 1975; Patrice Bergeron, who was playing at or near the peak of his powers for most of the 2010s; and Zdeno Chara, who very well may be chugging along in No. 33 when we review the 2020s, there is one figure that represents the past decade in Bruins history.
Cam Neely was named team president on June 16, 2010, charged with making the hockey and business decisions that shaped the franchise. They included the May 2015 hire of a general manager, Don Sweeney, who hired a coach, Bruce Cassidy. Both internal promotions, and the right ones. Did Neely himself choose all 140 players who wore Black and Gold the past 10 years? No, but in the sense the hockey buck stops at his desk, he was responsible for every one.
The on-ice results are what matter most, and since the 2010-11 season only Pittsburgh and Washington have a better winning percentage (.633) than Boston, which has one Stanley Cup title and three Final appearances (tied for most).
Trap Jesus
Registered User
- Feb 13, 2012
- 28,686
- 13,456
McGarnagle
Yes.
- Aug 5, 2017
- 28,795
- 38,303
2010 doesn't seem like that long ago, but a lot has changed in hockey since then. As a sign of that, the last Bruins game of the previous decade was a victory over the Atlanta Thrashers.
The decade did not start well. They went on a ten game losing streak in January 2010. Matt Cooke ruined Marc Savard's career in March. They blew a 3-0 series lead and a 3-0 game 7 lead. Despite it all, I have somewhat fond memories of that team and think they were the building block for everything to come in the next few years. They punched above their weight and good stories like Miroslav Satan helped them upset Buffalo. Savard came back and scored the OT winner in game 1 against the Flyers. Lucic looked like he was taking over as a playoff force in the first period game 7. Despite losing the series, which honestly was due to injuries, I think that team showed character.
In late January 2010, in the midst of that losing streak, if someone came from the future and told us that the decade would have 3 conference championships, a president's trophy, and a Stanley Cup in store, I'm not sure we'd have believed it.
The decade did not start well. They went on a ten game losing streak in January 2010. Matt Cooke ruined Marc Savard's career in March. They blew a 3-0 series lead and a 3-0 game 7 lead. Despite it all, I have somewhat fond memories of that team and think they were the building block for everything to come in the next few years. They punched above their weight and good stories like Miroslav Satan helped them upset Buffalo. Savard came back and scored the OT winner in game 1 against the Flyers. Lucic looked like he was taking over as a playoff force in the first period game 7. Despite losing the series, which honestly was due to injuries, I think that team showed character.
In late January 2010, in the midst of that losing streak, if someone came from the future and told us that the decade would have 3 conference championships, a president's trophy, and a Stanley Cup in store, I'm not sure we'd have believed it.
Estlin
Registered User
The team, with its present core/leadership, has underachieved. It should have at least two Stanley Cups.
Tmac37
Registered User
McGarnagle
Yes.
- Aug 5, 2017
- 28,795
- 38,303
I get only doting on the negatives since we're still in the midst of it, but you could say that about any team and any period of time.
If someone mentions Bobby Orr and the Big Bad Bruins, is your first reaction "Underachievers, what could've been. They never should've lost to the Habs in 1971, and should've kicked the Flyers' ass in 1974. They should have at least 5 cups. Only 2 with that core? What a disappointment!"?
As much as the 2010s Bruins were a couple breaks and a couple plays away from at least another cup or two, if the Habs squeak out an OT goal in either game 5 or 7 in 2011, and if the Leafs don't get lazy after going up 4-1, we could've ended the decade with no cups and one finals appearance, etc.
If someone mentions Bobby Orr and the Big Bad Bruins, is your first reaction "Underachievers, what could've been. They never should've lost to the Habs in 1971, and should've kicked the Flyers' ass in 1974. They should have at least 5 cups. Only 2 with that core? What a disappointment!"?
As much as the 2010s Bruins were a couple breaks and a couple plays away from at least another cup or two, if the Habs squeak out an OT goal in either game 5 or 7 in 2011, and if the Leafs don't get lazy after going up 4-1, we could've ended the decade with no cups and one finals appearance, etc.
It’s been an excellent decade.
I see people playing the “what if” game but you can do that about every title won or title appearance ever. Hell some people do it with all of the pats Super Bowl wins to discredit Brady lol
im happy with what they did this decade. It could have been better, but overall they’ve been in that elite tier for most of 10 years and I can’t complain about that
I see people playing the “what if” game but you can do that about every title won or title appearance ever. Hell some people do it with all of the pats Super Bowl wins to discredit Brady lol
im happy with what they did this decade. It could have been better, but overall they’ve been in that elite tier for most of 10 years and I can’t complain about that
- Jan 29, 2003
- 25,458
- 20,860
Loved reading the highlights in the original post.
Hate what age has done to my memory.
I truly remember more from the 1982 - 1992 teams than the 2010 - 2019 teams.
Of course from 82 -92 I went from 12 - 22 and had nothing more important than school and playing sports going on in life.
Hate what age has done to my memory.
I truly remember more from the 1982 - 1992 teams than the 2010 - 2019 teams.
Of course from 82 -92 I went from 12 - 22 and had nothing more important than school and playing sports going on in life.
ODAAT
Registered User
Could have/should have won at least one more cup but I`m nitpicking, the fact that this team, outside of two seasons(that still produced 90pts) put forth a team that was legitimately in the Cup conversation
Many here may not remember the decade before, empty seats all over the TD, 3 DNQ`s and not one trip outside of the 2nd round of the playoffs
Many here may not remember the decade before, empty seats all over the TD, 3 DNQ`s and not one trip outside of the 2nd round of the playoffs
Dennis Bonvie
Registered User
KlausJopling
Registered User
Rubber Biscuit
Registered User
BruinDust
Registered User
- Aug 2, 2005
- 24,323
- 21,693
I'm not sure how they overachieved. They possessed the world's best defensive forward, the world's best defensive D-man, had solid starting goaltenders throughout the decade, two excellent systems coaches, and typically had a solid supporting cast.
Dennis Bonvie
Registered User
I don't think their talent level (top to bottom) was such that they should have had that much success.
Marchand was the only top 10 scorer the Bruins had this decade (tied for 5th twice). Bergeron tied for 18th once, as did Pasta and Krejci 19th once.
Much credit needs to go to coaching and resilience of the players. An excellent culture based on defense first and "playing the right way".
