A River(s) runs through... the park

"I can contribute... but they won't let me. Matt Walker skates, and I sit. What the hell?"

These are the slightly bitter words of Jamie Rivers, Boston Bruins holdout defenseman. And they are not entirely unfounded - Rivers has been a slightly more consistent defenseman than Walker has over the last two seasons.

"Anderson touts and drools over a runaway Russian, but then ignores me. What gives with that? Oleg is allowed into the training center for light workouts, but they ban me because I am not under contract? Well neither is he!!!"

Rivers becomes more agitated as he discusses the matters - he did not accept the Bruins' contract offer in the offseason, so he is a restricted free agent. He expected to see some action in the open market, but the right to pay compensation for a low-disciplined, middle-ranged talent thirty year old defenseman was grossly undervalued by the rest of the league. As a result, Rivers sat.

With the holdout, Bruins General Manager Joshua Anderson decided, somehow, this was a personal issue. He has not spoken to or of Rivers since he refused to sign the contract, and once again declined to issue any meaningful comment about Rivers beyond "[Bleep] Jamie Rivers" and slamming the phone.

Rivers believes he still has the skills to contribute as defensive depth to a team. "I recognize that I am no longer a top defenseman. But a fifth, sixth, seventh man? A guy who can fill in when you need to juggle lines from injury? No doubt. Beyond all, I want to get my name on the Cup. That will not happen from my living room."