Neely On Marchand Suspension: Not Surprised, Wasn't Expecting 5 Games
BOSTON (CBS) - Boston Bruins president Cam Neely joined Felger and Massarotti to talk some Bruins and the fallout from Brad Marchand's hit on Sami Salo of the Vancouver Canucks.
Marchand was suspended for five games for a low-bridge hit that left Canucks defenseman Sami Salo with a concussion.
Tuesday, Neely told 98.5 The Sports Hub's Felger & Mazz that he was surprised by the length of the suspension.
"I didn't think it was going to be five. I thought it was going to be a couple of games," Neely said. "I'm not surprised he got suspended but I wasn't expecting five games"
"We've agreed to disagree on the decision on the length of the suspension," Neely added.
When questioned about whether the hit was dirty, Neely called it "more of an instinctual move" and said that he doesn't think Marchand intended to injure Salo.
"I felt it was more of a duck than a hit from every time I looked at the replay," Neely said. "I think he was basically going to look at protecting himself and decided to duck rather than absorb the hit."
Neely did acknowledge Marchand's growing reputation around the league as a dirty player.
"There are certainly areas where we know he crosses the line," Neely said. "The league has addressed that on a couple of occasions this year and they've addressed it again. Brad just has to make smarter decisions out there."
Listen:
Neely also called comments by Vancouver Canucks coach Alain Vigneault to the Vancouver Sun "irresponsible."
"The league has had enough issues in recent history where coaches shouldn't be making comments like that," Neely said. "If the league hasn't already had a conversation with them, I would assume or expect
something like that to draw the attention with the league and have a conversation with their coach."
98.5 The Sports Hub is the only place to hear every game of the Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins 2011-12 NHL season with Dave Goucher and Bob Beers. Pregame coverage begins 30 minutes before the puck drops, with Postgame coverage following each game.
