Sports

NHL

What they're saying

By wire services
Published July 14, 2005

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	Goodbye lockout, hello Lightning Gary Shelton: Even better? Q&A: The lockout They don't take the Lightning lightly Lockout chronology Stanley's '04 summer tour Back to the Ice Will the new agreement make it harder for the Lightning to defend their Stanley Cup crown? Yes, re-signing all the players will be difficult with the new cap No, the players will want to return to defend the championship Don't know yet

"I'm not going to be one of those players to place blame. All the information was there, and we all knew what we were getting into. I don't know how (anyone) can be upset."

Brenden Morrow, Dallas Stars forward

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"It's just such a waste, and that's what bothers me the most. We just wasted a year, and who knows the damage that has been done to the game? That's what worries me."

Rod Brind'Amour, Hurricanes forward

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"It's a Bob Johnson moment: It's a great day for hockey. It will never be what it was before. This is a great opportunity to grow our sport. It's a watershed moment in that regard."

Jim Lites, Dallas Stars president

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"What we went through was necessary. We had to get some controls on our business, and certainly I'm hoping that's what this new agreement does."

Jim Rutherford, Hurricanes general manager

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"We have to try and put the past behind us and go ahead with a different mentality. We have to grow with the owners. It has to be a blissful marriage between the owners and players, and nobody is bigger than the game."

Bryan Smolinski, Senators forward

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"For the game of hockey, it was important to get something done before August. The game has been in a lot of pain, and it would be in a lot more going into next year. In that sense, I think everybody's excited."

Andrew Brunnette, Wild forward

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"Our next big step: winning back the fans. We'll have our work cut out for us."

Jim McKenzie, Predators forward

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"Both sides were wrong, and they didn't have the goodwill built up that baseball has, and from what I understand, they're not going to be lowering ticket prices. If someone gives me free tickets I'll go, but I'm not paying."

Andrew Simone, Denver fan

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"I think the deal is not great for the players. It is definitely an owner-friendly deal. For the last 10 years, the players have made a lot of money, and now we are in a position where everybody is going to make money."

Jeremy Roenick, Flyers center

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"I've got to admit, I didn't miss it."

Joe Hartman, Philadelphia fan (somewhat)

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"We have a bell in our office you hear when tickets are sold. It has been ringing consistently today."

Don Waddell, Thrashers general manager

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"I hope the fans will come back. It's a terrific game. It just depends on the city they're in."

Michael O'Connell, Bruins general manager

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"In a place like Minnesota, hockey means a lot. But in the South, I think people have found other uses for the entertainment dollar they once saved for hockey."

Peter Ceruzzi, Pub manager in St. Paul, Minn.

[Last modified July 14, 2005, 00:31:19]

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