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| | Tuesday, March 7 | |||||
| ESPN.com users had plenty to say about Ray Bourque's trade to Colorado. It's not every day that a player who has played 21 seasons with one team gets dealt. Here are some selected thoughts:
I think it's a shame the Bruins were more interested in what they could get for Bourque, instead of what was best for Ray. It's sad that he's been traded to a first-and-out team instead of going to Philadelphia or Detroit. Jon Waterford, NJ
Born and raised in Boston, I've been a Bruins fan since 1964. It saddens me to think of the state of the franchise since Jeremy Jacobs took over. Harry Sinden low-balled Raymond every time his contract came up for negotiation. Harry quit on the B's after the 1970 Cup, when he wanted to renegotiate, and was turned down. He went into the modular home business. I guess he forgot what that felt like, to be treated as though his best efforts weren't good enough. I saw the Cup in Government Center that bright day in May. It was one of the greatest moments of my young life. I wish he had stayed in the building business. I can't see the point in trading Bourque to a team that is in danger of being where the Bruins are headed, no spot in the Dance. I don't think it would be reasonable to expect any 'core' players in return, but I can't say I'm happy with what they got. I'm through with the Bruins. I'm now putting full support behind Mr. Ilitch, Scotty Bowman, and the Red Wings. Jacobs AND Sinden should be ashamed of themselves. The point of this whole ordeal was to get Ray onto a true contender, and strengthen the B's in return. Nothing close to that happened.. Richard A. Douglas, Jr. Burlington, NC
And I think I speak for every Boston Bruins fan: GO AVS! GO AVS! GO AVS! GO AVS! John Berard Providence After rooting for the Bruins all these years, I never thought I'd say it ... Go Avalanche! Corey Aiken Durham, NH Don't forget that Boston got Bourque because the LA. Kings gave him to them for someone named Ron Graham. Even with their good fortune, the Bruins couldn't win with him. Let's see what the Avs can do. Good luck, Ray. Mike Cowan Steamboat Springs, Colo. It really doesn't matter who the Bruins got in return ... The "Second Legend" is gone (Orr being the first). Goodbye, Ray. We will all miss you and hope you can sip champagne from the Cup. Maybe, they should have shipped Jeremy Jacobs to Colorado as well. Joe Resendes New Bedford, MA
Great job, Avs! What a great pair of players to pick up with instant leadership and grit. And Bourque's drive for the Cup should help this team become much hungrier overnight. I think it was a fair trade. Rolston has done nothing since coming over for Claude, and I feel that if Bourque comes back next year, then the Avs get the better side of the deal. But I will tell you one thing: The Bruins won't be disappointed with the young guys they got because with the Avs scouting, their minors are full of great talent. Welcome aboard Ray ... Go Avs, go. Shawn Bean Anson, ME As much as I am sad to see Ray leave the B's, I feel that he deserves everyone's support in his quest for a Cup. We all know he deserves a Cup, and we can only respect his actions after all the effort he gave to the Bruins organization night in and night out for the last 21 years. He is a super player and a superb role model. I hope you all join me in wishing Ray the best of luck. Nick Durham, NC
I am glad Ray has a chance to be in the playoffs this year. But correct me if I'm wrong ... the Avs are fighting for a playoff spot. Ray should put the Avs over the hump in getting them into the playoffs, but a Cup this year? Not with Detroit, Dallas, and St. Louis playing the way they are. I am very surprised Ray went to the Avalanche. Tom Leroux Omaha, NE It is always impossible in the NHL to determine who got the better deal. But in 2000, it certainly seems to be a fair trade. If the Bruins get two of these guys to become second line or better players, they will have done well. This team wasn't going anywhere this year, and now two good guys get a chance at the playoffs ... albeit a tough road which lies ahead. Rich Lowell, MA I'm absolutely ticked off at the Bruins for allowing this to happen. If ownership and management had spent some money to actually put a competitive product on the ice, maybe Ray wouldn't have wanted out. I can't blame Bourque for wanting to leave. This team is obviously not going anywhere, and he wants to try to win a Cup. It's a shame we can't see him go out in the black and gold. Shawn Skelly Agawam, MA As a long time Bruins fan, and being 22-years-old, Bourquie is all I know. He has become my hero and idol, and the person I looked to for the model of loyalty. I am deeply saddened and disappointed that Ray chose to take one last chance to win the Cup. Nothing is guaranteed, and it is likely the 'Lanche will not even make the playoffs. I hope they will win it just for Ray. If they had to trade him, they could have gotten MUCH more for him, let alone with Andreychuk. I belive that the Bruins will never recover from this and will be perennial bottom dwellers. There is always this: Ray wins the Cup, the Bruins get better and develop. Ray seeing this, decides to sign on for one final year. Since he is an unrestricted free agent, he signs back with Boston for his last year. There is always hope ... *sigh* Sven Johnson Uxbridge, MA A legendary defenseman + a decent veteran would get a young Mogilny and an old Peter Statsny 10 years ago. Nowadays, cold soup is worth more, I guess Ash Aimed Cleveland, OH As a Hartford Whalers fan, I always hated the Bruins. I was glad when they lost or did not make the playoffs, and no victory was quite as sweet as when it came to downing the punks in black and gold. However, Raymond Bourque deserves all the praise he will get over the next few months. His support of the game, his work ethic, and his 'old time hockey' devotion to one team in this day of free agency is so admirable. It is a shame he has not won the big one, and even if it means he has to leave Boston he has deserved this last shot at hoisting the cup. In a few years, his number will be hoisted to the Hall. Good luck, 77. Ben Terry Virginia Since Colorado didn't get anyone who will still be playing in two years, Boston probably got the best of the deal. But the four players Boston got (Rolston, the minor leaguer, the Swede and the draft choice) will get shipped out as soon as Sinden realizes that they want to be paid in actual dollars instead of Monopoly money. The only way this works for either team is if Bourque gets to skate with the Cup. Then, Boston did the right thing. But if he doesn't, then a great career ends on a sour note, and Colorado is out four players. Bailey Jones Auburn, AL
I think it's ridiculous on the part of Bourque, theirs no need for him to shame the city of Boston in such a manner, it's almost like a divorce. What is the hockey world coming to? I am ashamed to watch this beloved sport anymore. Brad Bacha Uniontown, PA Feels awesome to this Avs fan. Detroit/Dallas/St Louis fans have to start sweating the prospect of trying to get a goal past Bourque/Roy. And Bourque on the point with Ozo?! Watch the power play soar. I'm a happy season ticket holder. Steve Lubell Englewood, Colo. | ALSO SEE Bourque, Andreychuk land in Colorado Morganti: Ray of hope for Avs It's official: Bruins are in ruins McEachern sparks Senators past Bourque-less Bruins Bruins fans wouldn't mind seeing Bourque raise Cup elsewhere Rumor central: Who's next? Legends on the move  | |||||