Neely Talks Bruins' COVID-19 Pause, Olympics Decision, and More

BostonBruins.com - Bruins president Cam Neely met with reporters virtually on Wednesday morning to discuss the team's current COVID-19 pause, the NHL's decision to back out of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, and the club's performance so far this season. Here's a rundown from Neely's remarks to the media:

On the Olympics

The NHL and NHLPA announced on Wednesday morning that "with the National Hockey League's regular-season schedule having been materially disrupted as a result of increasing COVID cases and a rising number of postponed games," NHL players will not participate in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
The Bruins were set to be represented by coach Bruce Cassidy (assistant coach, Team Canada) and general manager Don Sweeney (assistant GM, Team Canada) at a minimum in Beijing, while Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, Linus Ullmark, and several others were in contention to represent their respective countries at the Games in February.
"In just talking to a number of the guys leading up to the announcement, just with all these games being canceled and the fear of the Olympics being canceled, they were disappointed," said Neely. "Some players, they're thinking they're gonna make a team, could be their last chance to play in the Olympics. I think it's disappointing for those guys and others that want to play for their country. But they certainly understand the circumstances."
The NHL's Olympic break was slated for Feb. 6-22, a stretch that will now be used to make up some of the 50 games that have been postponed due to the uptick in COVID-19 cases across the league. Neely said that while TD Garden has several other events on the schedule during that period, he believes there are six to eight open dates for Bruins games to be played. So far, the Bruins have had two home games and four games in total postponed.
"I think there's a handful of dates that are available to plug some games in there if necessary. That's a good thing," said Neely, whose club still has 56 games to play before the end of the regular season, which is scheduled for April 29. "Obviously, probably most of the buildings have similar issues where they thought that it was gonna be dark for three weeks so they booked what they could.
"I think we have six or eight dates if I'm not mistaken that we could maybe plug some games in…I certainly hope they stick as many games in February as possible for all the teams, but for us specifically."

On Moving Forward

Neely acknowledged that the unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic continues but is hoping that the league - and the world - can begin to move forward and adjust to the virus being part of everyday life.
"It's tough to say what's going to happen coming out of this Christmas break," said Neely. "Hopefully the positive test numbers start to drop dramatically, and guys are careful over the break, not just on our team but across the league. At some point, we're going to have to start living life and dealing with this as best we can. But we've got to get back on a regular schedule here at some point."
When asked if he believes that frequent testing of fully vaccinated, asymptomatic players should continue, Neely said that he understands the importance of protecting others but noted that many other businesses and workplaces do not test their employees regularly.
"I think that's one of the reasons they were pushing vaccinations was to help obviously with any of your symptoms or help avoiding any kind of hospital visits or stays," said Neely. "I look at all these other businesses across the globe, whether it's office towers or what not, I don't think people are testing every day to go to those into those environments.
"Sometimes you feel like we're looking for trouble, we're looking for problems when you're asymptomatic. On the other hand, I certainly appreciate the concern for others. But like I said, not every place of business is testing to go into work."
Neely added that the mental challenges that have resulted from the pandemic have taken a toll on the Bruins players and staff over the past two years.
"The stress and just the uncertainty of, 'Am I going to be able to play, am I gonna get yanked from the bench?' It's been a lot since the bubble in Toronto," said Neely. "Everybody's life has changed dramatically, specifically I can speak to hockey players and the travel party and what we have to go through just to get games played, which I guess is understandable. But it does take its toll on you mentally, there's no question.
"You want your family to be careful because you want to be careful because you want to play hockey games, so they have to sacrifice along with you as well. That's where it gets a little challenging, I think, for everybody.
"This is the world we're living in. But at some point, we're gonna just have to start living our lives. If someone is ill, make sure that they stay away and do take care of themselves."

On Reduced Capacity

Neely said he has not "heard anything" regarding a potential reduction in capacity for TD Garden given the current surge in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant. As of now, the building will only have to adjust to the City of Boston's announcement earlier this week that starting on Jan. 15, individuals will be required to show proof of vaccination to enter the arena.
"I'm not sure yet. Haven't heard anything," said Neely. "I know that they've issued some city mandates that we've got to start following by January 15th. But reduced capacity, I haven't heard that. I certainly hope that's not going to be the case."

On the Bruins' Play

The Bruins (14-10-2, 30 points) currently sit three points back of Detroit for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, though Boston holds five games in hand on the Red Wings and at least three games in hand on every other team ahead of them in the standings. Nevertheless, Neely sees plenty of room for improvement, particularly when it comes to generating more offensively.
"We've seen an uptick in goaltending which has been great," said Neely. "Our specialty teams are maybe not exactly where we historically like them but they're pretty good right now. Everybody talks about it, it's the secondary scoring. That's an area that really needs improving upon…to be honest with you, we've got to start thinking about scoring some ugly goals.
"Sometimes we get a little too fancy; we pass the puck too much, pass up opportunities to put pucks on net. Got to start driving the net a little bit more, in my opinion. That's where you get those ugly goals, that's just the way it is.
"You've got to put pucks on net and you've got to get to the net, you've got to drive to the net and you've got to be committed to doing that. I'd like to see that a little bit more."
When asked about whether the team was lacking toughness, Neely did not seem overly concerned but said that adding more of an "intimidation" factor is certainly on the table.
"Overall, intimidation is something that when you talk about 2011, you had that not only on the backend, but you had it in the forward group too," Neely said of that season's Stanley Cup championship team. "That's an area that we've discussed that if something becomes available that we think can not only help you play but also bring that element, I don't think would be opposed to it, for sure."
Neely went on to note that it's hard to compare the 2011 Bruins to this year's club given how much the game has changed to become more centered on skill and speed over the last decade.
"But I think you see when Trent Frederic's engaged - you watch him play in Calgary and you say, 'OK, this is a player that we think can help contribute and bring some physicality but also bring a little skill.' That line played really well in Calgary," said Neely. "I don't know why we can't see that a little bit more from Trent. I know he's trying to figure out the game himself."

On Tuukka Rask

Rask, the Bruins' all-time leader in wins and games played by a goaltender, has joined the team for practice twice in recent weeks and has regularly skated on his own at Warrior Ice Arena as he works his way back from offseason hip surgery. But Neely said that while discussions have continued with the unrestricted free agent, specific contract talks have yet to commence.
"I know Don [Sweeney] and Tuukka's agent had some discussions," said Neely. "I don't think they've talked contract just yet. Certainly wanted to see Tuukka ramp up in practice and whatnot. Unfortunately, what's gone on with the pause here, he's not getting NHL shots on him right now. I think that's what he was looking forward to was to get ramped up a little bit more these last few weeks of December and early January."