Cam Neely is obviously excited about his new position as president of the Boston Bruins, but he is also excitedly awaiting the 2010 NHL Entry Draft next Friday and Saturday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The Bruins hold the second overall pick in the draft and have made it clear they will take one of the two top prospects, Taylor Hall (Windsor Spitfires, OHL) or Tyler Seguin (Plymouth Whalers, OHL).
Just as GM Peter Chiarelli has said, Neely will be ecstatic with either player.
“I’ve said this to Peter, ‘We’re in a good position.’ I think it’s a tougher call for Edmonton than it is for us,” the new team president said. "We love both those guys. I think whatever happens, we’ll be very happy."
Having hosted both Hall and Seguin for interviews, Neely was impressed with both.
"When they both came into Boston here, we had great interviews," he said. "They’re both great kids, and they’re certainly older than their years would indicate, as you would expect with the amount of media they’ve had to deal with and the paths where their lives have taken them."
Neely isn’t sure who will go first or who will be the better player, but he is sure each will try to prove he's better than the other as their careers evolve. The passionate Neely admittedly loves both.
"I think they’re both going to be great players," Neely said. "It’s hard for me to say right now. They’re both different positions, but I think no matter what happens with what order, they want to show each other that they should’ve been No. 1. They’re both very determined young men."
Whether it's Hall or Seguin, Neely will absolutely have a say as the new president.
"We’re going to be drafting more skill,’’ Neely said. "We have some skill that we’ve already drafted. Over time, those skilled players will get into our lineup. What type of game that’s going to create for us, that’s exciting to me — to see some of these young, gifted, skilled players eventually work their way into our lineup, and the type of game that will bring us. I know that will be very exciting for our fans."
