David Krejci, of the Boston Bruins, says the NHL is treating its players like animals. Krejci was recently signed to a three-year deal worth close to $16 million. (QMI Agency)
For the second time in as many months NHLers have been compared to livestock.
A month after Red Wings’ senior VP Jimmy Devellano received a fine for comments comparing professional hockey players to “cattle,” Bruins centre David Krejci went a similar route, slamming NHL commissioner Gary Bettman along the way over the weekend.
“(Bettman) does what he wants," Krejci told Czech publication iSport.cz. “We want to play, we're the ones who are (negotiating).
“It is unfortunate that the NHL have such a guy," he said in a translated interview. "It's a shame for the entire hockey world. (He) treats us like animals.”
Krejci, who was selected by Boston in the second round of the 2004 NHL draft, then targeted Bettman’s significant salary increase since the last lockout.
“Bettman took during the last lockout $3.5 million,” Krejci said, “now it's at $8 million.”
The Bruins re-upped Krejci late last year with a three-year deal reported to be worth close to $16 million.
