April 21, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg (44) is congratulated by left wing Milan Lucic (17), center Tyler Seguin (19) and David Krejci (left) after a goal on Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) during the second period in game five of the 2012 Eastern Conference quarterfinals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE
The hits just keep on coming Bruins Nation. Word is out that several more Bruins are heading overseas. The players, in a need to stay competitive are heading to Europe or Canada to keep their NHL skill set. David Krejci, who had been checking out his options for the last few weeks has finally decided to head to the Czech Republic. He will be joined by our new main goalie, Tuukka Rask. Rich Peverley has decided to head out to Finland for the lockout. Does anyone else wonder if Tim Thomas knew what was coming and decided to get his fifteen minutes of infamy out of the way early?
Well, this is a mess fans. The logistical problems alone are going to be a headache of Olympic proportions. All these players are going to need to get put on waivers. Now, I may not understand hockey as well as the professionals, but being put on waivers seems like a gamble. I know these players need to stay in top form, but asking to be put on waivers…. it’s like handing a loaded gun to a career criminal and hoping that everything turns out for the best. Odds are, not bloody likely. Then the players have to get insured. Insurance not just for them, but an indemnity for their NHL club in the event of injury or worse. The premiums that some of these players will be paying are astronomical. Once you factor in the move, insurance, and in some cases setting up a second domicile away from your family, some of these players will be practically playing for nothing.
So I guess this goes out to the thirty members of the Board of Governors who are willing to destroy yet another season in order to have another Porsche in their garage. Before you rationalize this as a way to state that the players are willing to play for less, reflect on this. These men are willing to uproot their lives, go thousands of miles away, and risk their careers for you. Not the fans, and to an extant, not even themselves. The players are doing this for you. They want to remain at an elite level. They are putting a lot on the line so they can come back to North America and the NHL and prove to you they have earned what Don Fehr is fighting for.
There is a bright side to all of this. Half of you are so financially irresponsible you’ll have no choice but to go to war with the other owners if you want to keep your teams. I know that would not be good for the league. It would make me smile though.