Latest news with #BruceCassidy
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Will New Blackhawks Coach Jeff Blashill Follow The Footsteps Of Sullivan, Berube And Cassidy?
The Chicago Blackhawks found their new coach in former Detroit Red Wings bench boss and recent Tampa Bay Lightning assistant coach Jeff Blashill. Blackhawks management and fans hope Blashill follows a trend – namely, of coaches not getting the results they hoped for in their first attempts before doing good things on another NHL team. For instance, current New York Rangers bench boss Mike Sullivan was far from a success in his first stint as an NHL coach. In 2003-04, after finishing first in the Northeast Division, Sullivan's Boston Bruins were eliminated in the first round. The following season in 2005-06, the Bruins didn't get into the playoffs at all. It wasn't until Sullivan changed teams multiple times, serving as an assistant coach and an AHL coach, that he got another chance by being named Pittsburgh Penguins bench boss. And of course, he won a Stanley Cup in that first year with the Pens and went back-to-back, proving he had grown and learned as a coach at the highest levels. Current Vegas Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy followed a similar career trajectory. His first NHL coaching gig came with the Washington Capitals in the 2002-03 campaign. After losing in the conference quarterfinal in his first season, he was fired 28 games into the following campaign. Cassidy's second coaching job, which came with the Bruins, ended without a Cup win despite six seasons of trying. Cassidy didn't get to the promised land until he became Vegas' coach, winning a Cup in 2022-23. Finally, current Toronto Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube struggled initially in his time as an NHL coach. Berube led the Philadelphia Flyers to the playoffs in his first year on the job. But he was let go after a second season in which his Flyers missed the playoffs completely. He didn't win a Cup until he became coach of the St. Louis Blues partway through 2018-19. You can see, then, why the Blackhawks are prepared to take a chance on Blashill, who led the Red Wings to the post-season in his first year (2015-16) as Detroit's coach. Blashill got another six seasons with the Red Wings but failed to make the playoffs in any of them before he was let go in 2022. In all fairness, when the team decided to start a massive rebuild during his tenure, there wasn't much he could do. Blashill has since served as assistant coach of the Lightning, and he also previously coached in the AHL, winning a Calder Cup in 2012-13. Having experience in numerous types of coaching situations serves veteran coaches very well. They learn how to work in different competitive situations. They learn how to adapt their approach to different types of players in different eras, and eventually, they make the most of the opportunities they receive. Clearly, the Blackhawks and GM Kyle Davidson are gambling that Blashill is now better-equipped to deal with the rigors of coaching an NHL team. Although he's taking the reins of a Chicago team that will still have trouble making the playoffs next season, Blashill must believe he's ready to show he's learned from past failures and resuscitate his NHL coaching career. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on
National Post
20-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Bruins give GM Don Sweeney a 2-year extension to lead rebuild after first playoff miss since 2016
The Boston Bruins have signed general manager Don Sweeney to a two-year contract extension, trusting him to rebuild the roster after the team missed the playoffs this season for the first time since 2016. Article content Article content The move comes a month after team president Cam Neely said he needed to think about whether to keep Sweeney around after a decade in which the Bruins have seen unprecedented regular-season success followed largely by playoff flops. Sweeney fired coach Jim Montgomery, who led Boston to NHL records of 65 wins and 135 points in 2022-23, in November, then sold off the roster at the trade deadline when it failed to respond under interim Joe Sacco. Article content Article content 'Don has navigated a disappointing period for our club with conviction, purpose, and a clear vision toward the future of the Boston Bruins,' Neely said. 'He made difficult decisions around the trade deadline with the confidence they will pay dividends as we craft a path back to contention.' Article content In 10 seasons under Sweeney, the Bruins have a 458-233-91 regular-season record, with eight playoff berths. The team's 1,007 points and .644 point percentage are tied for the best in the NHL in that period. Article content But the Bruins have made it past the second round of the playoffs just once in Sweeney's tenure, reaching the Stanley Cup final in 2019 under Bruce Cassidy. Cassidy was fired three years later and then took the Vegas Golden Knights to the Cup championship in his first season there. Article content Montgomery replaced him in Boston and won 112 games in two years, but just one playoff series. He was fired 20 games into this season, and with the team unable to challenge for a playoff berth Sweeney traded captain Brad Marchand — the last remaining player from the 2011 championship — in a roster purge that signaled the end of the franchise's most successful era since Bobby Orr laced up his skates in the old Boston Garden. Article content Neely said Sweeney has been searching for a new coach while also preparing for the draft. Article content 'I am confident in the plan he has followed these past few months — and excited for what's to come for our team,' the former Bruins forward said of the former Bruins defenseman. 'The expectations in Boston have always been clear. It's about winning championships.' Article content A veteran of 16 seasons in the NHL, all but one of them in Boston, Sweeney took over the Original Six franchise's front office in 2015 and was given the league's General Manager of the Year Award in 2019 after the Bruins reached the Stanley Cup Final. He has also served as GM for Team Canada in its 4 Nations Face-Off victory this winter, and will serve as the country's assistant GM for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. Article content 'It's an honor to be part of a franchise with such a storied history and passionate fanbase,' Sweeney said. 'I fully understand and embrace the responsibility that comes with this role. Our fans have high expectations for this team, and so do I. The collective goal is to build a team that makes Bruins fans proud and ultimately brings another Stanley Cup back to Boston.'
Associated Press
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Bruins give GM Don Sweeney a 2-year extension to lead rebuild after first playoff miss since 2016
BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Bruins have signed general manager Don Sweeney to a two-year contract extension, trusting him to rebuild the roster after the team missed the playoffs this season for the first time since 2016. The move comes a month after team president Cam Neely said he needed to think about whether to keep Sweeney around after a decade in which the Bruins have seen unprecedented regular-season success followed largely by playoff flops. Sweeney fired coach Jim Montgomery, who led Boston to NHL records of 65 wins and 135 points in 2022-23, in November, then sold off the roster at the trade deadline when it failed to respond under interim Joe Sacco. 'Don has navigated a disappointing period for our club with conviction, purpose, and a clear vision toward the future of the Boston Bruins,' Neely said. 'He made difficult decisions around the trade deadline with the confidence they will pay dividends as we craft a path back to contention.' In 10 seasons under Sweeney, the Bruins have a 458-233-91 regular-season record, with eight playoff berths. The team's 1,007 points and .644 point percentage are tied for the best in the NHL in that period. But the Bruins have made it past the second round of the playoffs just once in Sweeney's tenure, reaching the Stanley Cup final in 2019 under Bruce Cassidy. Cassidy was fired three years later and then took the Vegas Golden Knights to the Cup championship in his first season there. Montgomery replaced him in Boston and won 112 games in two years, but just one playoff series. He was fired 20 games into this season, and with the team unable to challenge for a playoff berth Sweeney traded captain Brad Marchand — the last remaining player from the 2011 championship — in a roster purge that signaled the end of the franchise's most successful era since Bobby Orr laced up his skates in the old Boston Garden. Neely said Sweeney has been searching for a new coach while also preparing for the draft. 'I am confident in the plan he has followed these past few months — and excited for what's to come for our team,' the former Bruins forward said of the former Bruins defenseman. 'The expectations in Boston have always been clear. It's about winning championships.' A veteran of 16 seasons in the NHL, all but one of them in Boston, Sweeney took over the Original Six franchise's front office in 2015 and was given the league's General Manager of the Year Award in 2019 after the Bruins reached the Stanley Cup Final. He has also served as GM for Team Canada in its 4 Nations Face-Off victory this winter, and will serve as the country's assistant GM for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. 'It's an honor to be part of a franchise with such a storied history and passionate fanbase,' Sweeney said. 'I fully understand and embrace the responsibility that comes with this role. Our fans have high expectations for this team, and so do I. The collective goal is to build a team that makes Bruins fans proud and ultimately brings another Stanley Cup back to Boston.' ___ AP NHL:
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"Show up and put your best foot forward"; Golden Knights Head Into A Must Win Game 5 With A Clear Mindset
It's been a poor display by the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round of the playoffs, and now they find themselves on the brink of elimination, trailing the Edmonton Oilers 3-1 in the series. Heading into Game 5 at home, coach Bruce Cassidy wants his players to play their game and give everything they've got. "This has got to be something you embrace if you expect to be the last team standing... It's on. Show up and put your best foot forward and see what happens," said Cassidy about this series. Cassidy previously mentioned that with all due respect to the other six teams in the division, he believes the Golden Knights and the Oilers are the two "kings" of the division. The previous two seasons indicate that he is correct. The Oilers were the final Western Conference team standing last season, and the year prior, it was the Golden Knights. Once again, the final two Pacific Division teams are the Golden Knights and the Oilers. The key difference between the two teams this season is that the Oilers have embraced a step-on-their-throat mentality, something the Golden Knights have uncharacteristically lacked this postseason. The Golden Knights went up 2-0 in Game 1 but took their foot off the gas and allowed the Oilers to steal Game 1. With momentum on their side, the Oilers found another way to pull out an overtime win. The Golden Knights scored a clutch last-second winner in Game 3, but Game 4 was once again all Oilers. They took an early lead and shut out the Golden Knights, outshooting them 32-23. Working their way back into the series with the mindset the Oilers have developed will be difficult, but the Golden Knights don't have any other option than to put their head down and find a way to get positive results. Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Golden Knights focus on fast start as do-or-die Game 5 nears
Golden Knights focus on fast start as do-or-die Game 5 nears (Image Source: Getty Images) The Vegas Golden Knights know the stakes. After a hard loss in Game 4, they're now down a game from elimination. They will play the Edmonton Oilers in a do-or-die Game 5 at T-Mobile Arena. The head coach, Bruce Cassidy , and top players indicate that the team needs to start better, play harder, and make wiser decisions if they are to remain alive in the series. Bruce Cassidy reports team needs to be prepared early on The Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy acknowledged that the team started slowly in the previous two games. The Oilers started quickly, and the Golden Knights were playing catch-up. Bruce Cassidy accepted responsibility for it but also added his veteran players have to be ready early. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trending in in 2025: Local network access control [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo " We have to make sure we're on our toes and I don't think there were enough players on our toes ready to go, so that will be Step 1 in Game 5 -- make sure we push the envelope early and get to our game quicker." The Golden Knights were in the same position during the first round. After being down against Minnesota, they won three in a row, two of them in overtime. Forward Reilly Smith stated , "We did it last series, so we have a lot of faith in this group,' Reilly Smith said. 'We'll just take it one at a time." In Game 4, the Oilers scored just over a minute into the game and led 2–0 after one period. Another goal in the second made it 3–0, and Vegas could not find an answer. Edmonton blocked many shots, and Vegas couldn't get enough chances near the net. Jack Eichel stresses power play offensive pressure must improve Jack Eichel highlighted that the power play must improve. Vegas had three power play opportunities during the first period but were unable to score. They also lost some prime shooting opportunities. Bruce Cassidy explained they need to take quick shots when they are available to break the defense of the Oilers. Vegas also had trouble generating plays off the rush and lost pucks in the neutral zone. That has to change in Game 5. The team intends to put more pressure on the Oilers' defense and stay in their zone more. "We need to be more aggressive offensively and try and force them to make mistakes on their breakout and get pucks back, make plays when we have opportunities, and get pucks to the net,' Eichel said. 'So, it's got to be better, and we'll look toward Game 5." If Vegas prevails, Game 6 would return to Edmonton. The Golden Knights are not done yet, but they must play their best game of the year next. Also Read: Bruce Cassidy Frustrated After Missed Call Leads To Oilers' Overtime Winner Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings. Catch Lovlina's story unfold on Game On. Watch here!
