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:
https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Giants land Rafael Devers in stunning Red Sox trade
The post Giants land Rafael Devers in stunning Red Sox trade appeared first on ClutchPoints. Drama has enveloped the Boston Red Sox and Rafael Devers at points in the 2025 MLB season. Now, the two sides have separated in rather stunning fashion. The Red Sox are trading their designated hitter to the San Francisco Giants, as first reported by FanSided insider Robert Murray. Advertisement The Red Sox are receiving a package of players in return. What the entire package entails is currently unknown. However, there is some information. Boston is receiving right-handed pitcher Jordan Hicks and left-handed pitcher Kyle Harrison, according to Murray. The other parts of this package are outfield prospect James Tibbs and pitching prospect Jose Bello. Harrison was meant to be the Giants' starter on Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, he was scratched from the start due to his involvement in this blockbuster trade. It appears as if Sean Hjelle will take the mound instead, according to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area. Why Red Sox traded Rafael Devers to Giants John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Boston has experienced an inescapable storyline this season over where Devers plays. This began when the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman in free agency. Devers immediately remarked to the media that he would remain the third baseman moving forward. Advertisement However, he did not take the glove on Opening Day. Bregman took over as the third baseman for Boston to begin the year. Devers accepted the designated hitter's role, though the situation became more complicated in early May when first baseman Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury. Devers again declined to move positions, this time to first base. He did recently begin participating in infield drills, Red Sox manager Alex Cora shut down talk of the All-Star slugger taking the field in 2025. 'We talk, but he's my DH,' the Boston skipper said, via reporter Conor Roche, 'Let's leave it at that.' Whether Devers has the opportunity to take the field with the Giants remains to be seen. In any event, San Francisco has bolstered its lineup in a big way. The Red Sox, meanwhile, are left to build their lineup without one of their usual All-Star presences in the middle of the order. Related: When will Rafael Devers and the Giants face the Red Sox for first time since trade Related: Giants' Willy Adames' in-game reaction to stunning Rafael Devers trade
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Kevin Durant Wanted To Join The Celtics Or Knicks At February Trade Deadline
Kevin Durant Wanted To Join The Celtics Or Knicks At February Trade Deadline originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Kevin Durant's looming exit from Phoenix has taken another twist. According to NBA insider Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports, Durant privately expressed interest in being traded to either the Boston Celtics or New York Knicks during the February 2025 trade deadline. While the Suns held on to him through the season, the revelations now add context to his seemingly inevitable departure this summer. Advertisement 'There were rumblings at the trade deadline KD wanted to land with the Celtics or Knicks. New York's interest reportedly isn't mutual anymore. Boston's cap sheet and trajectory make that scenario highly unlikely.' At the time, both teams were thriving. The Celtics had championship aspirations with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading a stacked roster, while the Knicks were rising fast under Tom Thibodeau. Neither franchise wanted to risk disrupting chemistry. However, hindsight may have changed some perspectives. Boston collapsed in the second round to the Knicks, and the series took a devastating turn in Game 4 when Jayson Tatum tore his right Achilles tendon. Without their leader, the Celtics lost in six games and exited the playoffs. Durant's presence, in retrospect, may have salvaged their title hopes or at least softened the blow of losing Tatum. Still, with Tatum now potentially out for all of next season and Boston's payroll reaching historic levels, the Celtics are looking to shed salary, not add a $50 million superstar. Advertisement As for the Knicks, they defeated Boston but were promptly exposed in the Eastern Conference Finals by a faster and deeper Pacers team. New York's offense dried up, and defensively, they had no answer for Indiana's spread attack. That playoff failure led to Thibodeau's firing and a sudden shift in their future plans. While New York wasn't interested in Durant in February, that stance may now be softening. Durant nearly joined the Knicks back in 2019 but chose the Brooklyn Nets instead. His history with the New York market is well documented, and some around the league believe a reunion with the city, this time in blue and orange, would be welcomed by both sides if Phoenix lowers its asking price. Still, Boston appears out. Tatum's injury and the team's tax burden make it unlikely they revisit Durant talks. Their focus is reportedly on roster rebalancing and staying under the new punitive second apron. Advertisement NBA Insider Brandon 'Scoop B' Robinson has revealed a trade scenario that would allow the Dallas Mavericks to acquire Kevin Durant, without sacrificing their prized 2025 No. 1 overall pick. Still, the Mavericks aren't one of Durant's three preferred destinations. According to multiple reports, Durant has only expressed long-term interest in the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and Miami Heat. Each team has young talent and cap space to craft strong trade packages. The Spurs are said to have 'heavy mutual interest' and already submitted an offer, which was reportedly rejected. The Timberwolves were also involved, but talks collapsed when they refused to include Jaden McDaniels. Durant reportedly has no interest in Minnesota regardless. A new wild card has emerged in the Toronto Raptors. League sources suggest the Raptors could attempt a 'Kawhi-style' surprise move, banking on their market, depth, and playoff credibility to win Durant over after the trade. Advertisement As for Dallas, the wildcard is Kyrie Irving. His long-standing friendship with Durant could pull strings behind the scenes. If the Mavericks can land KD while keeping Flagg, it could reshape the Western Conference overnight. Durant's next chapter is coming, just not where he originally hoped. Related: NBA Fans Think Shams Charania's Body Language Might Reveal Kevin Durant's Next Destination This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Red Sox trade pitcher to Dodgers after Rafael Devers deal
The post Red Sox trade pitcher to Dodgers after Rafael Devers deal appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Boston Red Sox are proving to be one of the busiest teams in the league with still over a month until the MLB trade deadline. The Red Sox recently traded Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants in a shocking move. On Friday, Boston agreed to another deal, this time with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Advertisement 'Source: The Dodgers are acquiring left-hander Zach Penrod in a trade with the Red Sox,' Robert Murray of FanSided reported on X, formerly Twitter. Penrod, 28, had been designated for assignment by the Red Sox. The Dodgers ultimately displayed interest and acquired the left-handed pitcher. He initially signed with the Texas Rangers back in 2018. After spending multiple years in Texas' farm system, Penrod landed a minor league deal with the Red Sox in 2023. He would make his MLB debut in 2024, pitching to a 2.25 ERA across seven outings out of Boston's bullpen. Penrod has recorded a 4.91 ERA in his seven appearances in the minor leagues so far in 2025. Still, he has displayed signs of potential in the past. Additionally, the Dodgers are known for getting the most out of pitchers looking to turn their careers around. Perhaps Penrod will carve out a role in the Dodgers' bullpen at some point down the road. Advertisement Meanwhile, the Red Sox continue to move forward in the post-Rafael Devers era. In fact, Boston is set to play San Francisco on Friday as Rafael Devers prepares to face his former team. The game will be played in San Francisco so it is not as if Devers is returning to Boston yet, but the contest still projects to be intriguing without question. First pitch is scheduled for 10:15 PM EST. One has to imagine that both Devers and the Red Sox will have plenty of added extra motivation following their overall messy break-up. Related: MLB rumors: Kyle Tucker linked to Cubs, Red Sox in early free agency report Related: Insider explains what Red Sox must do after Rafael Devers trade
