The first order of business is checked off. Claude Julien, a man who is on his ninth or tenth coaching life — depending on who you talk to — will return for his 10th season in Boston.

That is one of many things on Don Sweeney’s to-do list in the off-season.

Keeping Julien is an indication that Sweeney and President Cam Neely will go down with him if the Bruins fail to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2016-17. A similar start to this year’s 0-3-0 mark out of the gate will only intensify the scrutiny surrounding the organization.

Which is why some fans are claiming the proud franchise that occupies TD Garden as the main tenant that an overhaul is needed. Sweeney doesn’t think that’s the case.

“No I don’t believe we need a major overhaul,” Sweeney said at Thursday’s press conference. “I believe we need to continue to forge depth in the organization.”

Whatever opinions are being thrown out, one thing is for sure, changes most definitely need to happen on Causeway Street.

First things first for Sweeney is housekeeping. Identifying the Bruins core going forward is going to be critical. Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak are ones that have been labelled as untouchable around The Hub. Other important pieces, like David Krejci and Tuukka Rask, could net a good return if they were put on the market.

A busy off-season awaits for Bruins GM Don Sweeney. (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily)

“It would absolutely depend,” Sweeney said about potentially putting the 2014 Vezina Trophy winner on the market while assessing his season. “I think Tuukka Rask is an excellent goaltender. Do I think he came out of the gate a little slower this year than we would’ve liked? Yes. Do I think he finished up being sick at two times that were inopportune? Yes. That’s not necessarily Tuukka’s fault. Do I think we had areas when we broke down a little bit defensively with, as I said, newer players? Yes. But he’d be the first to sit up here and tell you that he would like to have made a couple of those saves at key opportune times.

Following the look into the core, the next step for Sweeney is a deeper look at which prospects will come up to start the season. Frank Vatrano should spend most — if not all — of next season in Boston providing any setbacks, while the recently signed Danton Heinen from the University of Denver and another potential asset in Harvard’s Jimmy Vesey — this year’s Hobey Baker winner — could fill a potential Loui Eriksson vacancy.

Defensively, Sweeney will have his work cut out for him. From aging veterans like Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg to players not quite ready for primetime like Joe Morrow and Zach Trotman, the Bruins failed to execute Julien’s defensive first system on the back end. Names like Keith Yandle and Kevin Shattenkirk are pending UFA’s but would command a decent salary to acquire their services. Regardless, Sweeney will need to invest in addressing the Bruins biggest need this summer.

All of the afformented scenarios, plus discussions with players up for new contracts, including Eriksson, Kevan Miller and Torey Krug (RFA) will give Sweeney a busy off-season.

Not to forget, the NHL Draft in Buffalo on June 24th. If last year was any indication, then Bruins fans will be in for an interesting ride.

Whether its trying to make a big splash or making steady improvements, Sweeney will need to give Julien a supplemental roster to work with before the Black and Gold embark for training camp in September. Their jobs depend on it if they want to return to the postseason in 2016-17.