04-03-08 Cam Neely, Vice President of the Boston B

The Boston Bruins are scratching and clawing and fighting and try to get a playoff spot they get two games left in the regular season. Coming off they shoot out loss last night in New Jersey to the devils and -- arguably one of the greatest goaltenders whoever lived joining us on the line right now is one of the greatest right wings whoever lived. Of the Boston bruins' cam -- is on the line hey -- I you don't.

I am good and how Rio -- Brodeur to by the way all excuse best -- I've. I've had to face in one of the guys -- fractures to escape saved -- the same thing too.

You just say hi dale --

All you know Michael I'm story you know -- was the one that says hi Cammie if you would piped up today -- eyewitnesses.

Back to try to be glad that want to step he would say hello to do that we both like to see who -- was hello first in. I I was kind of given my assessment of of where I'd like to see the Bruins and openness thing. I've decided I don't want to to finish -- I don't want to -- Pittsburgh in the first round. I don't want you to finish seventh I don't particularly want to see Montreal on the first round but if you could get that six spot I'd take my chances with Carolina.

Right now but it watched figure Annika and that third spot. So -- it it. As everybody that follows what time recently it's it's it's tie native who know it'll come down to the last games of the regular season see Louis blues playing.

They can't we haven't talked with you since you got your new job in we -- all excited that you're coming back the organization officially. How's a dead end -- one for you how would you assess.

Michael it's been better than I expected to be honest with Q a a I was excited about the opportunity to -- and try to help turn things around him and get hockey back to world Leah Bruins fans would like to see written. Really rocket science in general I think for me it's great strides this year it's it's been in the it's been a great experience for me you know ball -- a lot of different aspects of the organization has been fun. Feel like I have this day in and some input that people are listening to news so is -- so -- it's it's it's been really really really nice pleasant surprise to -- is news as it has rescued as it has been this year.

When you first got the job it's satellite they were going to have you do a number of things have you been able to him since you've been on the job for a few months of -- able to. -- narrow it down and just create a niche and say this is what my job is.

To agree ES it primarily focusing on on the hockey team. A year for the most of the year wanted to get a better understanding of the personnel we have airlines in Carolina and and their personalities and and beat with the team as much as they could traveling on the road and in practices and bigger hitters and info order arm make -- the team is like that was my primary focus -- as the season went on I got involved in. In some other aspects of the hockey organization for. The business marketing and ticket side of of that which has been. -- been interest into -- and been recently. And it tool is one of the alternate governors which is etiquette very exciting for me to kind of be involved and -- needed to go along. With the owners in and the governor's.

I've always made it a point here as as the Bruins would bring some young defenseman into the organization. I would never say gee that's that the next ray Bork I mean nobody wants that kind of pressure put on. I also wouldn't want to say hold that hey there's the next cam -- Having said that when I sing -- cheat IC a little cam Neely NM there.

Well there is stale there's no question he has an aspect of his game that. -- it was similar to mine and that's really just I think at first and foremost well played physical and you know -- a lot of a lot of people that have kind of thrown terrier rally that -- as well and you know obviously that's that's I think there's probably a combination of the two of us with Milan but he's his own person in and as a -- player but he has. He has elements of in a hockey player of the Bruins fans like in and that we have needed here Austin beat Grossman it.

Look this kid is never going to score fifty goals like you did and I'm not trying to suggest that. But but he gets himself an extra footer to when he's out there on the ice does make.

I shared he's a big kidneys very strong as we've seen he can handle soulful way immediately does drop the gloves and you are going to get a little room I mean you can see that when. You know the puck just jumped into his quarter he's Maryland down after it could be kind of pulled out four. You know -- turn the puck over because they're they're concerned about getting hit that's the great thing about having a player that. They'll think about take in the body first in the and then and then worried -- the puck later because the last if anybody watched the game. -- You know you have to pay the price to it to get in the series and he's willing to do it.

Campbell's Bruins fans don't want to say anything nice about Montreal. I I can't blame -- one with the story is this year they have your number is is quite an understatement. -- the story what why do you -- Montreal's and able to handle the Bruins so consistently this year.

I think it -- started -- where they you know. We we lost a few games to -- it became. A story that -- team I'm not saying that that that hasn't factors should have an effect that we do on the Chinese. But primarily I think my opinion is. You know they they have a lot of speed in and we at at first were having trouble maybe analysts have that speed that they have -- And we are taken a lot of penalties in the power play with Catalina and you know then then game too -- heroic okay let's play physical and it's the most pressure at speed down. And we got overly physical and were taken penalties and there and their power play killed us again one of the things. You know I look at what that team is in -- can't give them opportunities to -- a lot of highly skilled guys but there's there is times when I think we could be. A little bit more physical against them and it's the most guys will disappear a little bit if you do take the body when you have the opportunity but they have a they have a very strong team in and like you said it is an understatement but they certainly on this this year and it's certainly frustrating. For myself to be up there watching some close games especially -- like a trio who at this -- rivalry early cheers.

Look with the out with the possible exception of all Samuelson and Claude Lemieux there was a certain respect factor when you were playing in the NHL. And and I'm not sure I see it now I look at all the head injuries in that and the concussion problems Andrew Alberts back into your lineup last night Patrice Bergeron isn't back yet. Camera people just not respecting their fellow players the way they did when you were still playing the game.

Well they'll certainly appears fairways I agree with you when. And one of the things that that I would point to lose this investigator rule I don't think that's been beneficial for the players. To be able to lose someone police themselves so -- think there has been. In in the history of the game this this kind of code of conduct the players generally kind of stand by obviously if you cross the line which players do and I. I'm not saying I haven't but. When she -- I think you know you used to know that you they have to you know. You may have to answer that pay the price for what you did you know that particular game. You know you don't see it happen and now I think instigated -- too big factor in that and what happens is all of these all these players in my opinion. Play a little bigger player a little tougher because they're in the maybe not as worried about the repercussions in. Quite frankly you can't always leave it up to the lead to two and -- made the appropriate penalties and suspensions because as we've seen. It being done necessarily happened to the Latino that particular team.

Am I wonder what kind of projects -- working on right now me. We always hear about from Bruins fans and people who used to be Bruins fans is not the same in -- will they spend the money all the same mold the same criticisms of the franchise or what are you working wanted to bring some people back.

Well you know our idea I certainly can understand from the browns fan standpoint I mean I've been out of the game her remember years now and in. I've watched what's gone on Ryan I am very passionate about the -- Saddam quite frankly passion about the browns fans because. I know how sports fans in general really are are they are in new England and they they are passionate but the teams but they've been frustrated over the years a boat ownership in and you know probably to agree there's spears -- they have a right to be frustrated. And one things that I really looked at prior to accept in this position was. What you know what is the direction ownership wants take what is the direction and ownership management wants to take in. And I -- and I really believe you know you look at our payroll this year it's it's amongst you know -- hired teams. The way I look at it is you know the brewers are got themselves in the situation that there's they they've been -- for quite some time. Nobody's happy with and I'm talking about ownership and management in and anybody that works in the Brown's office here nobody nobody likes to see where where especially from a franchise that. You know has all this great tradition in in heritage one of the things that do you know we talked about years use them. You know what is it what does it mean to be a Boston grown what does it in in opinions you know. Of expansive opinions of players ex players who have played here what is it what does it mean to put pictures here on and Petr and compete night in and -- work hard for. For you know for the sixty minutes stay Euro area -- and you know want to play and am not saying he can you know I said that that the -- press conference. You -- win every game but the effort past to be there and people expect the effort from. Boston Burlington and quite frankly we need demand an effort skill levels and other -- I mean obviously we need to get -- Gil bill mention. Earlier -- you know we need to get some more offense we recognize those things and you know but at first and foremost for -- that's why I want it spent a lot of time serie year understand even make the proper team I'm I'm really interested in. In the character of our players in and there work ethic in and how hard they want to go out there compete native and you know.

Sometimes I think the bigger player is the more fans expect of them might I was thought Hal -- caught more crap in this town and he deserved. I think there are times when Zdeno Chara is in that boat as well I think his guys playing Norris trophy caliber defense. And I still here fans get on him from time to time how do you think he's perform.

I I agree -- I think he's played extremely well this year. He's he's got a great job there for forests are on Diem mean I think he's -- or -- career highs for goals and points and his minutes have been cut. And it has been very beneficial for him obviously what I think -- happened and I can understand it is. Don't you go back to you know he nobody order brad park to ray Bork and then you have. You know Chara kind of follow follow in those guys. It becomes very difficult to be a you know a top defenseman unless they'll follow in those three players and and obviously I think people look at. And and you know that's the prerogative them their right look at our season and say expected certain things because of salaries and we all do -- that we all expect certain pins but I do believe that Chara has played -- extremely well force this year and he's he's done a great job and and I think he should be considered for our sort of.

your opinion how close -- the franchise to consistently competing for championships.

We you know -- we have this planned Michael that we we know did. We have some some things that we need to to upgrade in some things that we need to do when. Leave that some of our younger players probably did come in and and perform earlier than we expected them to because they a lot of injuries that we had this year. And I think they've done a great job and and more recently they've done a fantastic job force. But we understand where we need to get better to be able to compete on on an annual basis with with that the best teams in the league in. You know that's something where were were really working towards that means we have our scouts we hitters go meetings recently and you know talking about the types of players that we want to have here Austin obviously we feel we need to get a little bit bigger -- front -- need you know eventually gets more goal scoring you know even faced you know another top B but these things obviously. Or not he's easily attainable is as it used to be it's there's a premium on on your drafting and there's a premium on developing your kids after you draft them. You know teams just aren't willing to get rid of you know these players he's character guys that we would like as these views is that I mean we -- we're trying to operator club prior to. The trade deadline. And everybody wanted guys we were not willing to get up and Amy and give up part -- a lot of people were asking for it -- she's in the Coca also the world works are -- give up on those guys yet for what we were looking for you know it is they wanted our young players that we think are going to be your future.

you mentioned David crate -- and I was going to bring him up as one of those young guys that you mentioned a few moments ago. He's really open some eyes I think he was named the the third star in the league for his efforts last week. But you're starting to see this kid gain in confidence and blossomed he he's starting to look like he thinks he belongs here now.

Well he should stick that dale and I -- east peace he's come along slowly and I think with the absence of marks departed but David -- situation where he was asked to do more for us and he's been able to do that and then and so I I love the way that he gets and then he does go to the traffic areas that they've artist friendly -- and he's made some beautiful plays for us. You know he's a guy that he Don Sweeney was very high -- last year I think it he probably. Wasn't necessarily looking for. For him to may -- play as much as he had this year but because of the injuries he's had to come up -- he's he's he's developed really nice to force stomach great job and you know we look at next year we -- you know look at next -- healthy Patrice Bergeron back with -- that you play and the way he is we have works of art. You know -- three pretty good sentiment right there.

And you can't win the National Hockey League in the Stanley Cup playoffs without good goaltending. And and there are times when when I think you've got it with Tim Thomas and maybe there are other times when when I wonder if you got it. I think he's got the ability to be a number one goaltender in this league I'm not sure that that not everyone in the organization has always believed that well.

Welcome Tim has proven that time time after time year after year as long as he's been here that he can play in the lead in in and win hockey games where you it's it's one of those things where you see epic when he does get overworked if he'd he'd breaks down a little bit and and maybe not have -- he'd like to have these two extremely competitive player. And I love that in them he hates given up Gholston and he does he's done a fantastic job force this year especially early in the season when when leaders struggled in the news -- some hockey games wars but. I think we've seen this over the courses you know few years that when he does get. You know upwards in the days in games played itty -- kind of breaks down a little bit one of those things that you know it's just it it it it's it's something that we look at and that we recognize season. But Tim has played extremely well wars have for the bulk of the year.

Let's be honest if you if you if you do get in the playoffs and I think you well. You do end up playing Montreal on the first round you're going to have the -- to slip that number rate back on again --

Yeah I've had -- a few times this year -- but I. I've I've kind of put that behind me until I started watching in -- as many games is that why it's in the it has been a few times that which goes on the Dyson and has been primarily against they have the big games against the Canadians if we do play Montreal I think our guys who will really be up for that challenge and try to redeem themselves the boat. The year that we had in the regular season against them and you know I think that. Whoever we play I know our guys are going to be ready to let it out there and compete and play that they closed quote Julian is step is that an amazing job. This year. Considering and Miller became head injuries but considering the injuries and and lose head injuries and our team it's it's it's been an a fantastic job from the coach and steps that.

solace on the talk hockey with you good to visit with you again I don't see around. I hope so to take care -- it didn't do things there former Boston Bruins right -- in the