Harry Sinden Steps Down

noctambulist · Post by **noctambulist** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:52 pm

It looks like Chiarelli will have a larger role in the organization. Dunno if this is a good or bad thing but any change is a good one in my opinion at this point. I've kinda had an up/down opinion on Sinden throughout the years but I think it's good to get some new ideas into the organization. He's always been good for a quote and probably still will be.

Bruins Press Release

Post by **Minstrel** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 2:16 am

I was wondering when I saw this how much Sinden has had to do with players that have been brought in etc. in the past? So how much of a change will it be for the team now that he's stepped down?

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 1:35 pm

Sinden was once one of the best minds in hockey but he's been terrible for years now. He used to pull of steals like (like the one he got Neely with) but he's out of touch with today's game. Supposedly he hasn't had a hand in trades for the last bunch of years (says he just offered advice). Either way, the team had a bad rep because of the way he's handled contract negotiations. He'd berate players in the press when they had a contract due to renew just so he could try and pay less. IMO, Sinden stepping down has been a good 10 - 15 years overdue.

It's a new era in Boston!

noctambulist · Post by **noctambulist** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 1:24 pm

I agree with bruins72. Sinden is somewhat of a legend (good and bad) and has been a part of the Bruins since fire was invented. I think when O'Connell was made GM, Sinden stayed on as "President" because he still wanted to maintain control but not have his name attached to everything. That move always felt a little strange to me. I believe Sinden still had final say on every move whether they admit that or not. I think his new position is "paid drinking buddy" for Jacobs which is a job I hope to have someday.

But even if this doesn't mean much for the actual team operations, I think in a symbolic way this signifies a changing of the guard for the Bruins. And sometimes appearance is just as important as anything else. I also think it will be better for Chiarelli since he will feel a little more open to run the team without "daddy" looking over his shoulder.

Now lets hope Chiarelli can steer this ship back on course.

flea · Post by **flea** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 2:57 pm

Just a little question here about Harry: was he the coach when the B's won the Cup in 1970????

I ask that because in NHL.com there is a list of all the Stanley Cup Champs with their respective coaches and the finalists with their respective coaches too....

....and in 1970 when the B's won the Cup against the St. Louis Blues, Harry Sinden is listed as the B's coach, while Scotty Bowman was the coach for the Blues.

Here the respective link:

NHL champs and finalists

Can somebody confirm that it was the same Harry Sinden we are talking about??

Thanks in advance and greets

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 3:56 pm

Yup. Harry Sinden was the Bruins coach when the won the Cup in 1970 (but not 72). After that he took a couple of years off to work in the business world and then came back as GM of the Bruins.

flea · Post by **flea** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 4:32 pm

bruins72 wrote:Yup. Harry Sinden was the Bruins coach when the won the Cup in 1970 (but not 72). After that he took a couple of years off to work in the business world and then came back as GM of the Bruins.

Thanks very much for your reply!!!
I thought it was he, but I wasnt sure!!

I think Harry did a great job as Bruins GM, but maybe he should have stepped down 10 years earlier??
All in all IMO the B's received more in return than they gave up in most of Sindens trades and the B's were really a strong team during a long period!! Just sad they had to play against some hard teams in the Stanley Cups they reached (see Wayne Gretzky and the Oilers for example) or in the Conference Finals (Mario Lemieux and Pittsburgh).

Greets

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 4:57 pm

Sure, Sinden made some steals back in the day. He used to be a master at trading aging talent that was on it's decline for younger players that would become icons (the Esposito for Park deal, the Pederson for Neely deal, the Janney for Oates deal) but his stingy contract negotiations and poor player relations really soured his reputation. IMO, he hurt the Bruins more than he helped them over the past 10-15 years.

flea · Post by **flea** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 8:00 pm

Agree again bruins72!!!

All the holding outs in last seasons, the first team to walk away from an arbitration decision and the general feeling that for Sinden no player is worth the money really hurt Harry in the last years. That and probably more things that u guys over the sea know much better and have also better infos about it.

So I guess that u agree with me that he should have stepped down 10+ years ago, right??

Well, never mind, now we can hope that Chia and company will do a great job in the next years!!! Would be nice to see the B's in a conference finals again, right??

.....its surely too early for that, but I like what they have brought in this offseason and its surely a good base to work with.

Greets

bruins72 · Post by **bruins72** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 9:44 pm

Yes, I agree that Sinden should've stepped down long ago!

But on the positive side of things... the future is looking VERY bright!