Cam Neely On Felger & Mazz: Bruins' Chemistry, Europe Experience Should Help In Short Season
Boston Bruins president Cam Neely joined Felger and Massarotti for the first time since the end of the NHL lockout. With the Bruins' season set to begin this Saturday night at the TD Garden against the New York Rangers, Felger and Mazz asked Neely why the league is vulnerable to lockouts.
"I think trust has always been the biggest issue, and we're going back years and years and years ago," Neely said. "It's kind of ingrained that maybe there's not enough trust, and I think that's something that both the league and the players have talked about addressing and need to address at least in the least the next eight years and hopefully the next 10 years with the new CBA. It's really about trust."
Regarding his team, Neely said that having largely the same roster from last year as well as having a number of players who kept in game shape in Europe are advantages for the Bruins.
"I feel really good about the team," Neely said. "For a short season like this, I think we're in a position to maybe benefit from guys playing overseas. Both goalies have played during this lockout, which is a plus, I believe. We have the same coaching staff … and the guys are familiar with each other. [There are] a couple of new bodies but after that it's pretty much the same team that really know each other, and they have great chemistry together.
With Tim Thomas' name always in headlines, even as he's out for the year, Felger asked Neely what the future might hold for Thomas and the Bruins.
"We'll take things as they come," Neely said. "I can't speculate on what may happen with Tim Thomas.
Neely also touched on where the organization expects Dougie Hamilton to begin the season, rumors of Milan Lucic being out of shape and the expected quality of play once the season begins this weekend.
Cam Neely on the End of the Lockout and the Start of the NHL Season
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