How hot is Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney’s seat?

The Boston Bruins have had many strong seasons under general manager Don Sweeney, but could missing the playoffs or an early-round exit cost him his job this season?

There is a reason they call it the “City of Champions” and “Title-Town.” The city of Boston stands for nothing but greatness. It’s in the town’s DNA. If you’re an athlete, coach, or GM and you start to lose your touch, your hope of job security shouldn’t be too confident.

Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney might be feeling the heat rising.

Some fans may consider this ridiculous. After all, they lost in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals just two seasons ago. This season they lost in the second round to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning.

This is the City of Champions though and that was a major step back considering the Boston Bruins were the President’s Trophy winners at the end of the regular season.

Don Sweeney – The bad for the Boston Bruins.

‘Nuff said.

This has ended up a disastrous deal for the Boston Bruins. While Dougie Hamilton has become a perennial All-Star and a legit Norris trophy candidate over the past couple of seasons, Jeremy Lauzon is the only prospect on the board that has sniffed consistent NHL minutes but hasn’t wowed by any means.

Don Sweeney has also struggled mightily finding a solid second line right wing for David Krejci, which has been a thorn in the side of this roster for the past several years.

Finally, these are the season results for the Boston Bruins under Don Sweeney:

2016: Did not qualify for playoffs

2017: First-round exit

2018: Second-round exit

2019: Lost in Stanley Cup Finals

2020: Second-round exit

For many organizations, this would be considered a successful run. Not in Title-Town. First and second-round exits aren’t going to cut it Donnie Boy.

Don Sweeney – The good for the Boston Bruins.

A hometown boy comes home. This was a beautiful deal for the Boston Bruins.

Charlie Coyle has become a fan favourite of Bruins faithful as an anchor third line centre who has sneaky hands for more of a power forward type player. Meanwhile, Ryan Donato was recently traded to the San Jose Sharks where he will be able to get top-six minutes on a fairly thin roster.

Last year’s GM of the Year Award recipient Don Sweeney is also somewhat of a contract magician. This cat is unbelievable at getting players to buy in and take team-friendly deals. For example:

David Pastrnak – $6.67M AAV through 2023

Brad Marchand – $6.125M AAV through 2025

David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand finished third and sixth in league scoring respectively. That is absolutely ridiculous. Boston Bruins fans should praise the ground Donnie walks on for that alone.

At the end of the day, the Boston Bruins window is closing with their aging core and early-round playoff exits just do not cut it for this organization. If Don Sweeney can’t manage them to a Stanley Cup run this upcoming season, it wouldn’t be a shock to see ownership consider a new direction.