Claude Julien Ready to Move Bruins in ‘Right Direction’
Boston Bruins bench boss Claude Julien addressed the media Wednesday morning at the team’s practice facility for the first time since General Manager Don Sweeney confirmed his return for the 2015 season. Sporting a goatee, Julien spoke about the uneasiness he felt while management debated his future and his desire to direct the Bruins back toward a successful path.
“As much as it wasn’t a lot fun or easy, it wasn’t about frustration. It was about understanding the situation,” Julien said of the time in which his job was in limbo. “I spoke with Don quite a few times, and we talked about a lot of things. My feeling was pretty positive and that we could certainly work together.”
Julien was unaware if he would be back as coach following the firing of GM Peter Chiarelli. The Bruins then took several weeks to make a decision before hiring Sweeney as Chiarelli’ replacement. After disappointing season and swirling rumors regarding Julien’s status, Sweeney announced last week that Julien would indeed be back for a ninth season.
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Boston’s debacle prior to the postseason left them out of the playoff tournament for the first time since 2007. It appeared as if many players began to tune out Julien and it showed as the Bruins failed to capitalize on a postseason birth that was there for their taking, ending the season on a losing streak.
“But those are tough situations and it’s a part of the business. You have to understand that it’s not always a comfortable situation. But it happens to everybody at some point in this business,” Julien added.
Julien, who sits second on the all-time wins list in Bruins coaching history, is now poised and confident in his abilities to lead the club in a new direction.
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‘We’re really committed and determined to take this team, and move forward with it in the right direction. Don and I have had talks, and we have a very, very similar outlook as to what is needed and we want to do. It’s never been an issue there at all, and that’s why it’s worked out,” Julien said.
That new direction is believed to be more of an increased emphasis on the offensive attack rather then a rigid, stingy focus on the defensive end. Many also want to see Julien develop young talent in a more effective manner.