Neely On Felger & Mazz: Bruins Were Not Offered First-Round Pick For Eriksson, Ask Fans For 'A Little Patience'
BOSTON (CBS) -- Bruins president Cam Neely stopped by the TD Garden studio for his (almost) weekly chat with Felger & Mazz. He gave arguably more information on the goings-on inside the Bruins front office than ever before.
Neely confirmed that the Bruins were never offered a first-round pick for Loui Eriksson, or two second-round picks. Neely said the surprisingly small market for Eriksson was "baffling to everyone in our management group."
Neely also said that the Bruins' asking price was not both a top-six forward and first-round pick, but either-or. "It wasn't that combination," Neely said.
When asked if there were any mandates from on high to make the playoffs after missing it last season, Neely emphatically denied that any such conversation has taken place.
"Listen, we know our holes," Neely said, "but never once this year did [Jeremy Jacobs] say 'You have to make the playoffs.'"
Much of Neely's comments indicated that the Bruins, while not necessarily in "rebuilding" mode, are not exactly going all-in for a championship within the next few seasons either. He said the Bruins refused to trade any of their top prospects, either in the NHL or minors, which he said that "everyone was asking for."
Neely acknowledged the overwhelming criticism directed at him and GM Don Sweeney for their perceived lack of aggression at the trade deadline. Neely pointed out that many of the Eastern Conference's current playoff teams have unrestricted free agents they did not trade, either. But he preached what many Bruins fans right now might call a curse word.
"I ask for a little patience of what we're trying to accomplish here," said Neely. "I know there's expectations from media and our fans and everyone wants things to turn around quick."
For a team that was in the Stanley Cup Finals just three seasons ago and won the President's Trophy in 2014, preaching patience to fans and media to get back there could be a tough sell.
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