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Bruins president Neely on firing GM Chiarelli: 'Not a decision we took lightly'

Dave Sandford / National Hockey League / Getty

The powers that be in Boston are shaking things up, and it wasn't an easy decision. 

That was the message delivered by Bruins team president Cam Neely and CEO Charlie Jacobs on Wednesday, hours after it was announced that general manager Peter Chiarelli had been relieved of his duties.

Related: Fired Peter Chiarelli deserved a chance to right the Bruins' ship

Specifics weren't given in terms of why the decision was made - the question was outright avoided altogether - but Jacobs and Neely both said they thought it was in the best interest of the club to move on after missing the playoffs for the first time in eight years.

Neely admitted to cautioning Chiarelli against dealing assets for rental-type players in advance of the trade deadline in an attempt to provide stopgap relief for what he and Jacobs see as the bigger problem.

Neely said he's not a micro-manager and has no desire to be the next GM of the club. He and Jacobs will consider both internal and external candidates. 

He did, however, cite drafting as a necessary area of improvement for whoever steps into the position, saying there were three or four years wherein the club swung and missed on picks.

While Claude Julien's services were retained, it will be up to the new GM to make a final determination on the coaching staff, Neely said.

Finally, Chiarelli was rightfully acknowledged as being responsible for bringing Boston its first Stanley Cup since 1972.

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