LOCKOUT: Day 43 – No news is not good news.
Dec 28, 2011; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boston Bruins head coach Claude Julien reacts during the second period against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE
Nothing new on the lockout home front. The NHL appears serious to button up and do nothing until the NHLPA offers some form of acquiescence to the league’s last proposal. The NHLPA has said nothing new either. Don Fehr, the NHLPA director has been quiet since the league chose to cancel the November schedule. “The league officially informed us today that they have withdrawn their latest proposal and have canceled another slate of regular season games. ” offered Fehr two days ago. “This is deeply disappointing for a ll hockey fans and everyone who makes their living from hockey, including the players. But it comes as no surprise.”
In about two weeks, the Winter Classic will have to be cancelled. That call will officially put an end to any hopes of their being a 2012-2013 NHL season.
On a side note, at least Claude Julien was keeping his skill set sharp. The Bruins’ head coach was coaching the Winthrop Squirt B hockey team today.(His services were awarded via a raffle to benefit the Bruins Foundation and their associated charities.) He helped the Winthrop coaching staff achieve a 3-2 win over Watertown.
Coach Julien seemed to enjoy the opportunity to work with the kids. “It was a lot of fun to get behind the bench and deal with young hockey players again. They were having fun and enjoying the game. They were an excited group.”
While the talk with the kids was all about high-fives and fist bumps, and the talk with the Winthrop coaching squad was about tips and tricks, the conversation couldn’t help but swerve from the land of childs’ play to the realm of a locked-out NHL. “Unfortunately, I’m just a bystander like everyone else,” said the coach. “That’s all I know, and that’s all I can say. Like everybody else, I think the fans want to see hockey back. I’m no different. I think the people involved with those negotiations want the same thing as well.”