Silent signs point to Sullivan's ouster

He hasn't spoken to new Bruins GM Chiarelli in two weeks

June 23, 2006|Nancy Marrapese-Burrell, Globe Staff

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- It appears Bruins coach Mike Sullivan will not be back behind the Boston bench next season, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.

Peter Chiarelli, who will officially take over the team's general manager duties July 15 once his obligation to the Ottawa Senators ends, met with Sullivan in Ottawa June 6 and publicly said he would let Sullivan know his fate within ``a week and a half."

As of last night, though, two-plus weeks after the sitdown that both men described as positive, the silence was deafening. One source said simply of Sullivan, ``He's out." The source said there had been virtually no contact between Chiarelli and Sullivan since their meeting and that Chiarelli wasn't returning Sullivan's calls seeking an update.

The second source also said all signs pointed to the club moving on from Sullivan, who did not make the trip to Vancouver for tomorrow's NHL draft.

Chiarelli didn't return a phone call or e-mail from the Globe yesterday seeking comment.

Interim GM Jeff Gorton, who will spearhead the Bruins' draft operations here at GM Place, said he was in the dark.

``I know it's hard to believe, but I don't know," said Gorton. ``I don't know anything."

Sullivan, who has been at the Boston helm since the start of the 2003-04 season and has always maintained a staunch professionalism, said he was being bombarded by inquiries but had no answers.

``There's nothing I can tell you, I don't know anything," said Sullivan, who has one year remaining on his contract. ``I haven't heard. Everybody has been calling me. I'm sorry to disappoint, but I haven't heard. That's kind of where it is."

Asked why he thinks a decision is taking so long, Sullivan sighed.

``I don't quite understand it," he said. ``They must have their reasons."