Blues’ head coach, Flyers alum Craig Berube ready to return to hockey – even in empty venues
.embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }
In sports, it’s always said that one of the hardest things to do is defend a championship. In the case of the St. Louis Blues and its head coach Craig Berube, they’re left to wonder whether they’ll even have that chance. With the league on pause due to the pandemic, there’s been a wide variety of scenarios tossed around.
“Just playoffs, no fans, things like that.” Berube said in an interview with NBC Sports analyst and former teammate Chris Therien, “The league wants to get it in the best they can. They want to hand that cup out.”
Berube’s guess is as good as anyone, as the league continues to mull over its options including playing deep into the summer.
“Maybe a two week training camp, right into playoffs.”
“They’re going to do what they can to get this up and running at some point.”
“We gotta do what’s right for everybody.”
Many players including the Flyers’ Sean Couturier have expressed concern with finishing the current season and then beginning the next season in close proximity, among other concerns. But for Berube, he’s ready to play whenever and wherever they can.
“For me, I’m all set to play no matter what. I’d love to play. If we have to play without fans, we have to.”, the former Flyers player and coach said.
“It’s not the best scenario but people are going to watch because they want something to watch. If we can get out there and play even without fans, it just gives people something to do and watch while this is going on.”
There’s arguably nothing that matches the energy of the NHL playoffs, much of that due to the fans in arenas. Berube says players and coaches may have to find different sources of motivation.
“I get there’s no fans, but your motivation is you might have a chance to win the Stanley Cup this way, it’ll never be this way again.”
Berube’s Blues at the hiatus had the most points in the Western Conference and second most in the entire NHL. Time will tell if the Blues get to “Play Gloria” once again.
Click here to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device.
More on the Flyers
-
Looking back at hysterical responses to Vigneault coming to Philly
-
Laundry, dishes and good points by Couturier on looming questions
-
Wait, where did that go? Clement shares story from wild 1974 Cup celebration