Despite the Bruins 3-1 win against Washington tonight, there are still many problems on this team. No elite goaltending and a team built on one scoring line come to mind. Owner Jeremy Jacobs and President Harry Sinden have been chirping for changes to be made after the team went into the tank, following a hot start. If Boston doesn’t turn it around GM Mike O’Connell can expect the ax sooner, rather than later.

O’Connell doesn’t have a leg to stand on. He assembled the team and was given a large enough budget to make Boston competitive. It hasn’t worked. He, not coach Mike Sullivan, is the logical person to be canned and if the Bruins don’t turn it around. Expect him to be pink slipped.

So if O’Connell goes, who comes in? There are reports that Sinden will run the team without a GM, until the summer. The Bruins can then hold off paying someone if there is a lockout (which is something Jacobs loves) and will have time look for a proper replacement.

A report in the Ottawa Sun says that Vancouver president/GM Brian Burke will be that choice.

Burke is a Rhode Island native and would probably love the challenge of rebuilding the Bruins. He has done a great job, with the Canucks and will be a free agent on July 1st. Boston makes sense for him since he makes him home in the area.

That, though, is down the road. The Bruins today have a chance to turn it around and right the ship. Not just for themselves, but also for their GM’s job.