Morning Free Association: Hmmm

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I know what you’re thinking: you wonder what Harry Sinden thinks about Bruce Cassidy. Does he like him? Does the former head coach think the current Bruins head coach is doing a good job? I bet Butch is on pins and needles waiting to find out because this is important to him.

As it turns out, Sinden likes the way Cassidy does his job.

“His relationships with players, I wouldn’t say it’s unique … but it’s what you want,” Sinden said. “It’s, ‘I’m in charge, but I’ll help you out, I’ll make you a better player. But just always remember I’m in charge of this business this year.’ He knows what he’s doing.”

“You can just read what he tells you guys and the statements he gives and how he answers your questions that he makes you feel like he’s treating you properly, I think,” Sinden said. “I know he treats the players the same way. They think he’s treating them properly, and that’s a big step in coaching a team.”

Cassidy showed real skill in guiding a team that was outside the playoff structure back into it for the first time in a couple of years.

“He knows the game,” Sinden said. “He knows how to play. I can’t say enough about him. You’ve got to remember when he came in here, we were out of the playoffs. We weren’t out mathematically, but we were heading out. We were definitely heading out when he came aboard. We ended up making them, and I think he’s had one of the best records of any coach in the League since he took over.

“He didn’t take over a [Wayne] Gretzky-led, Bobby Orr-type team. He did not. And his record is not to be reckoned with. Pretty [darn] good.”

I bet Cassidy can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Sinden has a high opinion of him. I mean, making it to the Stanley Cup Final within two seasons of taking over the team didn’t say that, nor his record alone; it was Harry Sinden.