Sweeney Provides Updates on Pastrnak, Providence Coaching Search

BOSTON - During his Bruins Development Camp press conference on Sunday morning, Don Sweeney provided yet another update on his discussions with David Pastrnak on a new contract.
The Bruins general manager said he spoke with Pastrnak's group this and "hopefully that will lead to a resolution at some point in time in the near future, but we have no timeline."

Providence Head Coach Coming Soon

Sweeney expects to have a decision on who will be the next coach of the Providence Bruins within the next couple of weeks. Among those who have interviewed for the position is Jay Leach, who last season served as an assistant under Kevin Dean (now an assistant to Bruce Cassidy in Boston).
"We've really got a narrowed list and we're kind of going through the secondary phase, third phase in some cases in talking to some very, very good candidates," said Sweeney. "We feel good about where we are right now and I think we'll be in a position in the next - I don't want to put a timeline on it anyway - but I think in the next week or two weeks at most."

Sweeney Still Open To Trades, UFA Signings

The Bruins GM is still pursuing trades and free agents, saying he has still been in talks with several players, including UFA Drew Stafford, who had 6 goals and 4 assists over 24 games (regular season and playoffs) with Boston last season.
"We've had some talks with some veteran players as we continue to explore," said Sweeney. "As I've said, I've been honest with them in terms of our timeline and satisfying our RFA situation before I move forward in those regards, but I've had some conversations on both fronts."
Sweeney confirmed that Ryan Spooner is the team's only restricted free agent headed to arbitration.

Dean to Head Defense

Cassidy said on Saturday Dean will be on the bench during games and run the defense, while also having a hand in penalty killing duties with fellow assistant Joe Sacco.
"Kevin is terrific at positioning and defending, boxing out, reading rushes and all of that stuff," said Cassidy, who had Dean as an assistant for five years in Providence. "And I'll try to add my offensive part of it and hopefully we'll make - we have made a good team in the past on the overarching part of the game with the D. That's where he'll help."

Assistant coach Jay Pandolfo, who at times last season was the team's "eye in the sky" up in the press box could be in that role again this year, but added technology on every team's bench could allow him to be down at ice level more often.
"That one, we're going to have to sort out," said Cassidy. "I don't know yet because the iPads behind the bench make a difference now, if they're functioning. I think you'll see a lot more team with four coaches behind the bench because you have the technology right there to show the player.
"I think that's the advantage of that. If that's something that's permanent in the NHL, Pando…he'll definitely end up down, but I don't know when. Whether it will be at the start of the game or the end of the first period.
"Until we get a feel for it, that's something that we haven't sorted all the way through. We've been chopping up responsibilities more now."
The 2017 Boston Bruins Development Camp is presented by AT&T.