Is he buds with Cam and Don? Feel like everything I read about this guy is terrible and always sounds like he isn't doing right by our prospects.
Not sure what you've been reading, but I don't recall seeing much criticism on him about player development. To answer your first question, prior to becoming GM Sweeney was in Providence a lot. He knows Cassidy inside and out, and if he felt he wasn't on the same page he'd already be gone. I am sure that game rosters and playing time were as much organizational decisions as head coach decisions.
I've been season ticket holder for the last 9 years, so I can tell you there is a huge difference in the overall quality of player development under Cassidy compared to Rob Murray. A lot of that credit is probably organizational due to better focus on alignment with the big club, but overall I think he's done a good job. It's not like there are players flaming out in Providence that get a second life and are successful somewhere else. (Example, Jared Knight got demoted to the ECHL from a really bad Iowa Wild team - and hasn't produced there either.)
The 1st round loss definitely stings (especially since I have a stack of unused playoff tickets). The AHL format does suck, however. They finished as the 2nd seed in the divisional round. In the AHL the higher seed plays the 1st 2 on the road and gets the final 3 at home. That's not much of a home ice advantage. Losing 3 straight OT games sucks, but they were a couple puck bounces (or a ref without his head up his ass) away from being up in the series.
It's very typical over the last few years that they rotate goalies, I assume to get them experience. Presumably, they planned in advance to start McIntyre in game 3 at home. That cost them the game. 2 of the 4 he gave up (on 13 shots) were definitely soft. He had a decent April, but overall I didn't think he was impressive at all. You can't draw good conclusions from 1 AHL season, but he didn't have the look of a potential NHL goaltender. Smith was a far better bet in an elimination game. They also sat Colin Miller in favor of Brandon Carlo. Arnesson, Blidh, & Kemppainen also sat. I find it hard to believe there wasn't organizational input on who played. They were definitely tight through the 1st couple of periods. Czarnik was the best forward on the ice (Bruins fans are going to love this kid when he makes it to Boston). Koko played very well on the wing. Vatrano and Acciari were decent, but Griffith was invisible most of the game and looked banged up. Carlo was very hesitant to carry the puck early in the game, but as the game went on you could see the potential. Very good skater for his size who can move the puck. I'm on the bandwagon.
