Sitting just one point out of a playoff spot, Boston Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs has not been impressed with his team’s play so far this season.
Having lost three straight games, all in extra time, Jacobs says the Bruins performance this season has been subpar.
In an interview Tuesday, he expressed his displeasure to Comcast Sportsnet’s Joe Haggerty.
“I’d say without question this has been a very disappointing year,” Jacobs said. “It’s unacceptable the way that this team has performed given the amount of time, money and effort that’s been spent on this team. To see it delivered the way it has is unacceptable.
“I can tell you that at the moment it’s a very fluid situation that’s being monitored closely. I don’t have any answers for why we’re underperforming, because if I did I would have tried them long ago.”
Boston’s 19-15-6 record has it sitting in fifth place in the Atlantic Division. Throughout the season, injuries have taken their toll on the team as players such as David Krejci and Zdeno Chara have missed time.
It’s a situation that coach Claude Julien relates to the 2013-14 Detroit Red Wings, a team that struggled with injuries throughout the year. Even with all its hurt players, Detroit still got into the post-season before being eliminated by Boston in the first round.
“We haven’t had the stability that we’d like to have, and it’s made for a rough road,” Julien said. “My evaluation and my job is to turn this around as soon as possible. There was no panic (in Detroit). They understood the situation. I think right here (in Boston) I don’t know how they evaluate the situation, but I know for a fact that our group — the guys, the coaching staff — is trying its best, and we’re going to keep trying our best.”
The last time the Bruins missed the playoffs was in 2006-07, and most recent won the Stanley Cup in 2011. Just two seasons ago, Boston lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in the Cup final.
“Winning the Stanley Cup every year should be our goal, and I don’t think that would be different if you asked any one of my associates within the building, or with the team,” Jacobs said. “I feel ownership of (the team’s struggles), as does everybody in this building, and as they should. I’m going to espouse as a CEO that we work as a complete unit.”
Jacobs even hinted at the fact that if the team’s situation does not improve shortly, that change could be on the way.
“I’ve had several meetings in the last 24 hours with all our senior leadership, and most specifically with Cam [Neely] and [general manager Peter Chiarelli] regarding our team. We are still evaluating where this club is at, and where our shortcomings are. I’m trying to figure out where we can right this ship.”
With Toronto coach Randy Carlyle being let go by the Maple Leafs on Tuesday, could Boston’s Claude Julien be the next coach to go?
