The next press release — from a transaction standpoint — that will be distributed to the media by the Boston Bruins public relations department should involve an announcement of the next General Manager on Causeway Street.

When that press release is delivered to the inboxes of the Bruins’ press core is anyone’s guess. The content of that press release, however, is likely being drafted now.

By the time the B’s beat writers, web columnists and TV reporters open that e-mail, it will likely read something like this — barring any last minute hiccups — Bruins hire Don Sweeney as the next GM.

Sweeney, who donned the Black and Gold for 15 years as a defenseman, started his front office career when he was named the Bruins’ Director of Hockey Operations in 2007. Over time, his role grew to his current spot as the team’s Assistant GM.

Last summer, Sweeney interviewed for the vacant GM spots in Vancouver and Washington. He didn’t have to look far to interview for the next vacancy after Cam Neely, Charlie Jacobs and company relieved Peter Chiarelli of his duties.

The other candidates that are — or in Ray Shero’s case were — being considered for the job include Rangers Assistant GM and former B’s Interim GM Jeff Gorton and John Ferguson Jr.

According to the New York Post, the Blueshirts aren’t allowing Gorton to interview for any vacancies during the team’s run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. By the time their run ends, Gorton’s chances as the next GM — as low as they already are — could be slim to none.

Ferguson Jr., who joined the Bruins last summer as the Executive Director of Player Personnel, is best known around The Hub as the guy who dealt Tuukka Rask during the 2006 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for Andrew Raycroft when he was the GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Though they’re thankful for that trade, I doubt B’s fans would want to see Ferguson get a promotion at this time.

Still, there’s no denying that Sweeney has been the odds-on favorite since day one to replace Chiarelli, who was quickly scooped up by the Oilers and named their GM and President of Hockey Operations.

Some fans will criticize Neely, Jacobs and the rest of the B’s front office if they make this hire from within. Others, on the other hand, will applaud the move as it appears that Sweeney has been groomed for this role for quite some time.

Either way, Sweeney — barring any “upset” — will have his hands full as the Bruins face an off-season of uncertainty after missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since the 2006-07 season. And his first task is to decide Claude Julien’s fate as the head coach, which is not a decision he’ll take lightly. That is a decision — and a press release — that will be discussed for another day.

The only thing that needs to be answered now is when the Bruins send that press release and make the hire of Don Sweeney as their next GM official.