Ottawa Senators Chris Neil pushes negotiators to seal a deal -NHL Lockout Update
The National Hockey League (NHL) being locked out is tough on everyone. From fans, players to franchise owners, everyone is having a tough time being out of the routine and not being able to watch or perform every night on the ice.
Ottawa Senators Chris Neil followed the trend of many of his colleagues recently and let his views be known about what he thinks about the lockout prevailing at the moment. In his views, getting a deal done should not be as hard as the two stakeholders in the situation, the NHL and Players’ Association, have made it to be.
For the 33-year-old veteran right winger, sitting down and willing to compromise collectively on significant issues is the only way to save the regular season, of which the opening two weeks have already been locked out officially by authorities.
“To get a deal done, you’ve got to meet and both sides have to be willing to budge,” said Neil. “Not just us giving and them taking. It’s got to be both sides. I think that’s the main priority."
Having played 10 years in the North American major league, Neil has seen more than his fair share of deadlocks as he was an active member of the whole process last time around when the 2004-2005 NHL regular season was completely locked.
“It’s frustrating for everyone,” added Neil. “You’ve got all the media here everyday, trying to pick our brains about stuff ... I’m fortunate I’ve got my family to go home to, it just kind of gets my mind off everything. Playing with my kids, dropping them off at the school bus, picking them up, taking them to swimming lessons ... my day is pretty booked up. For that part of it, it’s been enjoyable for me to spend more time with the family.”
Neil is a former 161st overall draft pick of the Ottawa Senators back in round-six of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft and has been with the club ever since. He picked up 28 points (13 goals, 15 assists) in 72 games played, a breakthrough one from his previous performances.
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