Don Sweeney Named Bruins General Manager: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

The Boston Bruins announced Wednesday that Don Sweeney was being promoted to general manager after the dismissal of Peter Chiarelli. He previously served under his predecessor for six years as assistant general manager.  

His appointment was confirmed by the team's official site and included comments from team president Cam Neely about the decision:

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Don has excelled in every role he has been in with the Bruins organization and has a comprehensive understanding of every aspect of our hockey operations department. His commitment and drive to bring a championship caliber team to the Boston fans was evident every step of the way through this search process, and I am confident that his leadership of our hockey operations department will lead to success.

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Sweeney talked about understanding the hurdles after the Bruins missed the playoffs for the first time since 2006-07 this past season: "I am fully aware of everyone's expectations to move the organization forward. The challenges ahead rests with the players, the coaches and the management group to work hard to make the necessary changes to bring the Bruins back to the forefront of contending for the Stanley Cup."

As Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe notes, it was the obvious choice:

It's the latest step for Sweeney in an organization he's been associated with for a long time. He was drafted by the Bruins in the eighth round of the 1984 draft and spent 15 years with the team before a short stint with the Dallas Stars to end his playing career.

He returned to the franchise in 2006 as a director of player development. Nearly a decade later, he's worked his way up to the top job in the department of hockey operations.

The task he faces with the Bruins now is a tricky one. The team has a lot of money locked up in its core, a group that includes Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Tuukka Rask and Zdeno Chara.

Sweeney must find a way to work more talent in under the salary cap to revitalize a roster that fell short last season. But first, they must make decisions on their own free agents, which include five unrestricted and two restricted players.

The Bruins ultimately decided it was a job best served for somebody already in the organization.