Neely: 'Extremely Exciting' to Have Near Full Capacity at TD Garden

BOSTON - For the past 14 months, Bruins president Cam Neely has been a part of countless conversations that he never could have imagined being necessary.
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the course of daily life dramatically and forced the sports world to shut down for several months starting in March 2020. And when sports finally returned last summer, no fans were allowed in the stands, forcing an unprecedented change for an industry that is built on having spectators in the building.
In March, nearly a year after the start of the pandemic, fans returned to TD Garden at limited capacity, first at 12% before increasing to 25% in early May.
But that will be changing dramatically when the Bruins open their second-round series against either the New York Islanders or Pittsburgh Penguins. Following Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker's announcement earlier this month, TD Garden will be allowed to open to full capacity beginning on Saturday, marking a significant milestone in the quest to a return to normal life.

"Maybe show everybody that life is returning to somewhat normal," Neely said during a virtual press conference on Tuesday afternoon. "As we all have experienced, it's been a very strange 14 or 15 months here. As you mentioned, all kinds of conversations we never could have imagined about fans and protocols and masks and social distancing - all those things.
"I give [TD Garden president] Amy Latimer and the TD Garden staff credit for pulling all this together and working well with the state and the city. I think they did a really good job and I know the players are excited about more fans in the building. I certainly am. It does bring so much more energy and excitement when there are fans in the building, especially at playoff time."

Neely noted how much of a difference having just 25% capacity - some 4,500 fans - made over the last few games, in terms of both noise and intensity.
"It's going to be extremely exciting," Neely added. "Obviously, going from no fans to 12 percent, was a big difference for the players. And then going to 25 percent was a really big difference, especially in playoff hockey. And to get to near capacity I think is going to be amazing, not only for the fans that are dying to come watch some live hockey but also the players.
"Just that energy in the building makes a huge difference. I can't even imagine what it's been like to play without fans. When you're in the building yourself watching, it's a dramatic difference. Very excited about this next round, for sure, with fans in the building."
Neely has not yet received word from the National Hockey League about when the second round might begin. The Islanders and Penguins will play Game 6 of their series on Wednesday night with the Isles holding a 3-2 advantage. A potential Game 7 would be played on Friday night.
If the Islanders win the series, Boston will have home ice for Round 2. If Pittsburgh comes back to win, the Bruins will begin the next round on the road in the Steel City.
"Kind of what was advertised, I guess," Neely said of the Islanders-Penguins series. "They both have their own style of play. We knew whatever four teams were going to get into the playoffs in our division, it was going to be tough hockey and close games for the most part. That's just the way teams are now, for the most part. Teams are not as separated as they used to be. I think what we're seeing is what we expected, not just in that series but across the league."
Regardless of the opponent, Neely believes the time off this week will be beneficial to the Bruins, who have experience dealing with long layoffs during the postseason.
"I like to have an idea just so we can plan and prep properly," Neely said of a schedule. "It's still a little early to maybe get that information. I think our group has enough experience to understand the time off, how to use it to the best of their abilities as far as getting rest and recovery.
"I think it's very important, especially if you hope to have a long run. I think these days off are going to be very beneficial moving forward. Having said that, I do know when our guys get back on the ice, they're going to be ready to work. And that's what has to happen.
"The coaching staff will be ready to get these guys ramped up as the days progress and as we get into the first game of the second round."
Neely gave props to Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy and his staff for how well prepared the team was during their five-game, first-round victory over the Washington Capitals, particularly the club's focus on each individual game throughout the series.
"Right now, I'm just thinking about the next game. I think that's the mindset of our players. We don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves," Neely said of his excitement for the team's potential. "There are still a lot of really good hockey teams playing in the playoffs right now. For us, it's just worrying about how we need to play and how we need to prepare, which, I think, we're going to be very well prepared.
"The coaching staff did an amazing job preparing the players for the Washington series, so I anticipate we'll be just as prepared. But it's really about the next game, I can't think too far ahead of that."

Follow the Leaders

Neely has had a front row seat for one of the great stretches in Bruins history. During his front-office tenure, as both vice president and president, the Black & Gold have made the playoffs in 12 of 14 seasons, including three trips to the Stanley Cup Final, and a championship in 2011.
The Hall of Famer believes that the team's leadership group has made such a sustained run of success possible, as well as the players' understanding of the expectations that come with suiting up in such a passionate hockey market.
"We're blessed to have the leadership group that we've had for the past decade," said Neely. "I think it starts there. When you introduce new players to the organization, they either have to buy in or we'll find others that will. I think that our locker room is probably one of the best in the league as far as how the players really play for each other and really enjoy each other's company. It's a really tight group, and that starts with the leadership.
"It's also character. You've got to have the right players with the right character that know what it means to play here and understand what this market is as far as being a hockey player in Boston. All of those things combined, you certainly hope you can get all those ingredients and mix them all together properly. Fortunately, we're blessed that we've had that the past 10 years."
Neely also spoke glowingly about the work of Patrice Bergeron, who - along with former captain Zdeno Chara - has set the tone when it comes to what is expected when pulling on the Spoked-B.
"There's been so much already said about Patrice and his character and his leadership abilities," said Neely. "He pulls people in as opposed to pushing them away. He really wants to get to know everybody - not just as teammates, but also personally, and their families. I give him a ton of credit for how he does lead.
"I don't know if there's many guys like him, not just in hockey but maybe in sports generally, especially in team sports like we're playing in. Just because of his nature and how he is and how he works and the work ethic he has, it's hard for others not to follow that. It really is."

Eyes on the Future

Neely said he has not had any personal discussions with pending unrestricted free agents Tuukka Rask and David Krejci about staying with the organization beyond this season, but that he believes they would like to end their careers with the Bruins.
"I kind of let the season go along and just let them focus on playing this year," said Neely. "My guess is that they would [like to return]. I think they both would probably like to finish their careers as Boston Bruins, so let's see what happens this off season. But there's something to be said about playing for one organization and right now, that's what it's looking like for both Tuukka and David."
Neely added that any contract talks with Rask, specifically, were tabled until after the season.
"Both Tuukka and our camp said we would table everything for after the season to see how things go and get a better sense after the season's over for how Tuukka is feeling, both mental and physically, and we'll go from there," said Neely, who noted that he thought Rask was "extremely dialed in" during the first round and that he "played really well, was very poised."
"We'll have to see how we can make things work," added Neely. "Again, we want to get through this season, see how things play out. We'll go from there. The way that Tuukka's played for his career here is pretty impressive. I mean, now he's a leader in not only regular season wins but in playoff wins.
"And David Krejci always seems to elevate his game in the playoffs. He's done it before and he's doing it again now. We'll go from there once the season's over."