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Bruins owner criticizes NHLPA on opening day

jeremyjacobsgetty

When the lockout finally ended, Bruins owner and Board of Governors chairman Jeremy Jacobs publicly apologized for the length of the work stoppage. He also expressed optimism about the NHL, saying that “together our collective future is very bright.”

Jacobs spoke again about the work stoppage prior to the start of the Boston Bruins’ season opener against the New York Rangers and took some shots at the NHLPA in the process.

“There was no expression of a desire to do a deal,” Jacobs said in reference to the union, according to ESPN.

Jacobs was also asked how the lockout could have ended earlier and responded with, “You’d really have to ask the other side on that.”

At the same time, the Bruins owner stated that he was the “last guy” that wanted to shut the NHL down, based on the Boston Globe’s transcript. He also cited the Bruins’ success before saying that his “selfish interest definitely was to keep this going within the parameters of the deal that was out there.”

“But it doesn’t make sense for the league long-term,” Jacobs added. “We have a lot of people that were very tired of this. A lot of people that were promised we would right-size this. I had to play a role in it. From a leadership standpoint, I think I had to play a role. To be vilified, I don’t think is right. But what’s my opinion on something like that?”

Before addressing the media, Jacobs spoke to his players and didn’t feel that there was any animosity.