Read this wonderful piece on ESPN.com about our own “Brian’s Story”. Click here.
I am very happy for Brian and his family. I am also proud of our organization and how we have dealt with this issue and with Brian’s health and career.
I think we will have a win-win situation here.
I am very happy for Brian Pothier. He will make his long anticipated return to the NHL on this road trip.
I was in Boston at the game when he was injured. I have spoken to Brian and offered my encouragement and support to him and his family over the last two years. His safety and well-being are our main concerns. His career is secondary to us and to him.
I hope we have a Hollywood ending here with Brian playing well; showing no ill effects of his injury; and returning to the team for the playoffs. Here is a good article on his progress to date.
I am pleased to show loyalty to a player and support to him and his family. We are all pulling for him.
Brian was a key free agent signing for us and he has been missed. He is a mobile and skilled D man. He is very steady and would add experience to our blue line in the playoffs and add some additional offensive upside.
When Nylander, Pothier and Clark are all out we miss their skill, grit and experience. It also takes out of the lineup $10.5 million or so of payroll, an amazing stat for us all to consider.
This is a great story, well researched and very humane. Thank you Corey.
I was in Boston the night Brian Pothier was hurt. I could hear the sound from my box and it was quite a violent hit.
I pray that Brian recovers fully as a friend but, most importantly, as a dad and husband. Then I hope he makes it back to our blue line. We miss you. Get well soon.
We pay – collectively - the six starting D men this evening what we pay Mike Green.
Our D is missing Green, Schultz, Poti, Erskine and on an ongoing basis Pothier.
We are missing five key starting defensemen for our club and if you add in Fedorov, who can also play defense, you can see how shorthanded we have become on the blue line.
Less we forget, we had an incredible run and played with heart and determination. We played a seven game series and on the sidelines – wearing business suits - were a first line forward and our captain, Chris Clark; our veteran center, Michael Nylander; and two top four D men for us in Jeff Schultz and Brian Pothier. Injuries are a part of the game but we missed these vet players and look forward to their off-season recovery.