Cam Neely, Bruins Vice President

Always mention how much we're looking forward to the hockey game that is now. Over two hours away or thereabouts. It is a very big day in hockey with the United States to playing Finland Canada taking on Slovakia. Joining us on the AT&T hotline AT&T a better three G experiences as a the executives of the Boston Bruins Hall of Fame right wing Cam -- I don't. I'm doing great.

Out -- SA and nor can he didn't -- said Hall of Fame right wing for the Boston bruins' Cam Neely and former Vancouver can knock. --

Very true that the long time ago now though right.

hockey play being played in that city on wondered cameraman you're an interesting position. Are you rooting for if it comes down to USA versus Canada who you root for.

Well equipped and I think the Canadian. In me goes the even though. I was fortunate and upbeat and American citizen. Which are very proud of but the Canadian in the.

It's a funny thing -- you see these guys and you see the the commitment these players have had in this tournament. They don't get any money there's there's no financial gain for any of these guys for participating in this. And yet you see the physical commitment and you think well that's what hockey players -- life.

Yes well I think you're doing okay that was on the finance financial part though.

While another all doing fine in Indian -- life that I.

Sorry you're right I mean and and I it is going to be willows here among that if vote you know the difference between. You know the NBA player in the Olympics and NATO players in the Olympics and how you know it's like the hockey players there're more -- it is that they. My response there was while you're talking where.

It do you think -- and had this debate with the bail it would -- most of the morning. Debate with dale it's tough to say this to -- what they'll most of the morning and into the afternoon. Do you think it's a good idea for the NHL. To stop play for a couple weeks there have players in the Olympics is this is this the best thing for Italy.

The police I don't think it is. Obviously here -- as a former player. Or little up -- have played Olympic but my. My real tree was -- in -- North American players the real green and he'd be great effect by and tell. As you -- you Olympic they had opportunities lately which is you know the great thing by. Now via in the now you know you'd be set now to. Especially in markets and the where you know who all now -- And Europe and work mode or yours your market. The oh. If the benefit in. That we --

And about about publicity. Three marketing.

While it is it that we promote in NATO. You know players you know if the -- nation these. The country's. -- but it so much or I don't. They can really quantify how old. Days ago. I think that that debate if the owners. And have you know we have -- It. -- game at that that. Obviously you know Hannity here where there are ways now even more so if they think they. -- But you know what. Although people. Who --

Do you think that there'll be a spike in either attendance numbers are TV ratings for the national hockey league for the final. Six weeks of the regular season out of this.

Requested. I mean. Really. They are you figure oh you know if I want. You know -- you for. We have -- on there and you know our people they -- at our way yet -- I don't know. You mean by that oh I'm not really trigger. I I certainly hope that would be the case -- certainly hope that. Maybe two -- Speaker and because they may become people who ward and -- is really great work. Become. The game -- are. Easier you know I hope that that happened here.

You sit there watching the games holding your breath full time I mean I suck -- she tick up a shot off the leg the other night and limped to the bench and on the on on known not now. I mean -- plays thirty minutes a game for Slovakia. As an executive of the team -- you sit their holding your breath for the whole game. Well.

They think your right. Obviously our best players there are at the Olympic. Talk about hope in your help. It would be awful for our -- the -- or and I've not been any. You know somebody who now for 2345. Weeks after the but terrible at the weapons that the things that all -- owners -- sure.

An international hockey has some some differences than NHL hockey obviously one of the big differences is no fighting in the Olympics. Do you think international hockey Olympic hockey could survive an NHL.

I think it would be difficult. In our -- of the big. Big. And our game in and you know on the prediction that part and you know I still like intimidation factor. You know -- if -- some guy in Europe dropped well I think it's. They use it checks and balances. I think in the Olympic. You know short term elect is not -- but the peacock covert aid in April where you know guys. Don't have to worry about company -- but you can he completed. A lock. In everybody's grandmother is going to be up.

All the Dan Boyle slew -- the other night against Russia wouldn't happen in the NHL.

At -- yeah they were. Well it equipment that it would cut it like you probably know that's true but. -- You know those things you write those things. You know would happen. Over time. -- player where you. He liberties but you know. You know. Back though. World where everybody. Every but the more people.

I was looking this up earlier today you're allowed as an NHL franchise. I think the maximum amount you can spend for the season is somewhere around 56 point seven million dollars. If you took the salaries of the team Canada players and added a Muppets a 128 million teen USA is 85 million. You're showing up product to fans that the NHL can't even begin to duplicate the system doesn't allow. So when they go back to NHL player they almost forced to be disappointed in what they say.

Why not if -- the it you write it it would be like eighteen. You know the NHL all start humans there -- you're -- go play you know hopefully. Play. If Abby actually have that that part ways that are. -- David where our -- you know the Rangers. Right -- respect that he dollars. It. Like axle and point. Packet it would get back now line up -- it you.

I was gonna say camp speaking of lineups in the lineup changes one of the guts he has moves. Of the Olympics so far has been Babcock decision to bench Marty Brodeur. Going Roberta Luongo what are you think -- MO.

I mean in what had happened activate he. Parties were well and there be you know. Look who -- But you know knowing that especially -- too long -- that. You know I think it's one of those. Well they they think you know could be a great decision. And everybody's happy or he doesn't do it and they know -- You know you would get ripped apart. But I you know have long goes back up that -- And in the game ended --

I I got Michael mad at me because I said assuming that the United States plays Canada Sunday night. I think Canada wins by four goals. The first period that I -- Canada play against Russia the other night might be the best period of hockey I've ever seen played by a team.

Yeah they they came out. I mean you're right it would be first here are these guys were on an airplane in the way. Everybody but they could play it plays with term. In other big strong. They if they -- dominated. But it you know the difference is that -- UB US defense is better than rough. I think that that's where that's where. And it is completely on the in what they got the puck in the Russians and.

If they both play their best games US plays its best game in Canada plays his best game what kind of game would -- In what what quick got to get would you expect her to say.

Well I think if both inflated. It would view it would be relatively low boring because. Even -- and it might as. You -- I think if they vote later. By Beckel and there in -- Oh. He plays like he's made -- her have that one. He's going to be up to be. By and I think go wrong he murdered there. They that but Miller. It. Well.

I'm curious how you guys will handle this you've got a game Tuesday against Montreal. Assuming you've got guys playing Sunday night while your your positive you're gonna have somebody playing Sunday night. Are you are they going to be looking to play for you on Tuesday as well.

I certainly hope so. We would certainly that we. By. Play out by. The way.

How -- you guys get Tim Thomas back into some. Game shape of some kind he hasn't played in a hockey game now and basically a month.

Yeah it. I'm sure you vote your pocketbook. And here. Eric certainly get a lot of park practice. Here US. We need him in lately --

We have Peter surely on the show I think it was about a month ago about a month ago right they'll get somewhere in there. And I asked them what the biggest surprise. Of this team has been the Bruins and he said even strength scoring thought they'd be much better. In that category how about you and what's the one thing that this team is doing that you. Didn't think it would be doing.

Well one thing that they're not doing but do we do is -- And it's one of those. I've ever I've never button. That I those issues listed as. One here where everybody at really really good use in the next year most of the -- players have you all of it. It is have like it that's who worked on through this year we've had a lot of guys have there yours from last year. -- you know. Coupled with. If he -- it hurt. They have that that move left or he boarded a great -- They appear to be coming out of it cracked his -- that tactic here. If you really step up is he if that. You know -- This experience of the guys here is really if you give them the more. You know. Three is playing all that much be around all these great players and what went. You know certainly gonna help him. But I think that the main thing happened you know having that many. Years.

geez the guy for me to -- I've watched this tournament. He has just stood out for me. And I am I'm kind of open the serves as a bit of a spring board forum because his years so far up till now has been a bit of a disappointment.

Yet you know if in fact earlier expected from -- surgery. You know. Maybe came back early. Line means but certainly were playing in the way -- last year's the group though that that they wait. As in Batman but as places -- Is he expected the plays we expect -- but. You know watch the year you know play in the way we -- hope we've been here over.

Final question before we let you go another area of discord between Michael and mean you can answer this better than any of -- sits in your hometown. Europe Canadian. Where the Canadian players feeling the pressure of being on the Olympic hockey team in the country of Canada.

I would -- that would be it -- You know you're you're. Company candidate -- here on home soil with. The one sport that means as a country. We love. And have -- much action. Everybody expected them to play well and win and everybody kind of over what that -- witnesses and other great countries of the plane or rate what. I think. Earlier on. You know they they they felt those pressures and you know the best thing that happened to them I think with that -- game you know where. They've -- we gonna win. And they they came out played extremely well and although school and got. Often The -- where we're good here but yeah I think the the fact there are all well. And expectations so -- I think it is but with let's press. Is that.

I gotta be armed with a kick him a little too touchy Feely for my taste for professional athlete hockey players the toughest players out there. I look at it this would as well as argue we deal about. If you're the best team. In you're at home. I really don't wanna hear -- pressure yet the pressure being the best in I would feel pressured -- like the third or fourth best team in the tournament and I'm on the road the pressure at home for the best team. And.

Yeah I don't agree with that means your third or fourth best team. No perjury about you lose you know suspect doing and what you're not as good as the other guys.

We we we -- where the other guys are good they would championships. That you know one in -- seven game series. Or were you lose you want -- If like it would lose one game so you gotta win Portland here. Though I care about your professional athlete. You you can't tell me won't you don't know what pressure.

Well I'll say this I hope your right because if your Canadian team cam if they felt pressure in a game that was nominal an elimination game. They will feel pressure on Sunday in the gold medal game and lose to my American team so I hope -- heart and I hope they don't respond as well to the pressure cup not if.

It made it even have to win that game.

that if you come here with this is like for Lockheed. And you have if yet.

USA Canada Sunday night.

I would think that -- so command at least some fun to watch. You know what it. I think it'll be it's going to be awesome because that and other. And BC -- rate that the Buick like here. That I -- wrecked the news in today's game. It can be brought. And.

On NBC not on MSNBC or something else yeah.

That mean with him when we -- what we -- earlier vote. You know what it means for of the war I mean for the sport hockey news's this is going to be incredible you know this -- the American. And then if it -- and that the gold medal game going to be it's going to be great overall for the work.

camera quickly. What are you feel about how to fill out the phrase Euro trash. I heard that that he the end but he didn't say they were Euro -- he says they brought their Euro trash game.

Okay well -- is that right.

Well a round here we didn't mind it so much. Oh look they don't like him in Washington now anyway after is overmatched in remarks though.

You know might think here's people I think that's a pretty good out of your part if they damage the rest of the weekend up there and thank you very much for taking a few minutes now my pleasure he. Debate on the record of the hit C yeah well -- allies okay retired as a Boston -- right -- joining us from Vancouver.