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Neely admits communication an issue with Chiarelli as Bruins GM

Jerry Lai / Reuters

The lines of communication are now open.

The Boston Bruins introduced new general manager Don Sweeney on Wednesday and during the press conference, team president Cam Neely explained that Sweeney's communication skills played a major role in him acquiring the position, something that former GM Peter Chiarelli lacked.

"There were times when I felt like I didn’t know exactly what was happening whether it was a confidence in knowing, or not," Neely admitted. "Communication (in the past) could have been better. I would have liked it to be better."

Sweeney, a former teammate of Neely, brought up his ability to provide transparency and read more like an open book early in the interview process for the position.

“From my perspective as president of the team, Don brought up communication … it's all about communication," Neely said. "For me, Don has ideas and thoughts and things he'd like to do. I'd like to know about it. For me, it's really about communication. When we went through the process interviewing candidates, that was a strong point of ours was the communication process."

The position will be Sweeney's first as GM, after serving as assistant to Chiarelli before his firing.

The Bruins also reportedly interviewed former Washington Capitals GM George McPhee and Nashville Predators assistant GM Paul Fenton for the position.

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