At least one member of the Boston Bruins believes the interim tag should be removed from head coach Bruce Cassidy.
That would be veteran forward David Backes, who sees no reason why Cassidy should not return as bench boss after guiding the team to a record of 18-8-1 and a playoff appearance after taking over from Claude Julien.
"The results speak for themselves," Backes said after the team was eliminated from the postseason by the Ottawa Senators on Sunday, per Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald. "We were climbing uphill certainly when he took over and we made our way in. It wasn’t easy.
"I don’t know how you make an argument against (Cassidy returning)," he added. "We had a few less bodies in the playoffs than we’d like and he’s leading the ship and righting it ... I don’t know what a full year with him maybe changes a few things, but he did a heck of a job in my opinion."
Cassidy himself admitted injuries to Torey Krug, Adam McQuaid, and Brandon Carlo caught up to Bruins in the end, and certainly Boston's chances against the Senators would have been improved with a healthy blue line, thereby solidifying Cassidy's position.
There's been no indication yet from general manager Don Sweeney in regards to when a decision will be made, or whether newly available candidates like Dan Bylsma of Darryl Sutter will be considered.
For the time being, Cassidy can rest with the knowledge he gained the respect of his players thus far as head coach.
Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.