Bourque pondering puck pursuit

ST. PAUL -- Ray Bourque is not sure when it would be, what he'd do, or where it would take place, but the Bruins icon has the itch to get back in the game.

"I don't rule it out," said the 43-year-old Bourque at the NHL All-Star festivities yesterday, where he was named to a Legendary All-Star squad as part of a promotion. "Specifically, I don't know what it's going to be. But as I've always said, hockey is what I know best."

Longtime Bruins fans would want him to return to the Boston organization. He began working for the FleetCenter last season, aiding boss Rich Krezwick in a variety of marketing initiatives, including welcome-to-the-club phone calls to new Bruins season ticket-holders.

"Somewhere down the road, when the time is right, yeah, it probably will be hockey in some way," said Bourque.

Bourque, now more than two years removed from his Cup-clinching victory with Colorado, has devoted much of his retirement to helping in the coaching of his sons, Christopher and Ryan. Christopher will head to Boston University in the fall, and when Ryan makes his way to college in about five years, the five-time Norris Trophy winner might be in the hunt for at least part-time employment.

"I don't know if it's going to be a pro team, or if it will be working with kids," said Bourque.

Bourque said numerous times late in his career that he could be enticed to fill a consultant's role, be it on the ice working with players or perhaps evaluating talent in college, junior, or European hockey.

During a media briefing, Gordie Howe kidded Bourque that he could consider playing in the NHL with Christopher and Ryan, similar to Howe playing in the WHA with sons Mark and Marty as his wingers.

"I don't think that's going to happen," Bourque said later.

"He's the only guy who'll ever do that."

Take it away

Less than a year after hanging up his goalie gear, Colorado's Patrick Roy would like to give something back to the game.

Roy, named with Bourque to the legends team, said the time has come for the NHL to reduce the width of the goalies' leg pads. Specifically, he would like to see 2 inches shaved off each pad, a return to the 10-inch maximum of the late-'80s.

"If something has changed over the years," said the glib Roy, noting that he was aware his words would be unpopular with today's netminders, "it's that there is no more fear in the goaltenders. If they take a shot to the mask, they shake their head and they're ready for the next play."

The shooters, Roy noted repeatedly, have precious little space to aim for, and it's the wide pads that most restrict their view. Roy conjured up an image well remembered by Bruins fans, that of Canadiens winger Guy Lafleur racing down the ice and unleashing his lightning-fast slapper for a goal.

"Back then, everyone would say, `What a shot by Lafleur!' " said Roy. "But today it's, `What a bad goal by the goalie!' They have so much equipment, and there's no fear that they'll get hurt, that they stop all those shots."

Roy, who stays involved in the game as owner/manager of the Quebec Ramparts (Junior A), figured he played the final 12 seasons or more without fear of being hurt by a shot. The combination of little net left exposed and no real risk of getting stung by a shot contributed greatly to his legendary career.

"People come to the games to see goals," he said. "It's why we are talking about it. I don't think people pay $150 [per ticket] to see the puck dumped in the zone and chased. They want to see skills."

Roy was adamant that a 30-team league is too large, and that the pre-WHA-merger NHL of 16 teams "was probably best for the league." These days, a 20-team league would be about right, he said. "You take 10 teams out -- and the [Players' Association] is not going to like what I'm saying -- but that would be better on the ice, too," he said.

Howe now

The ancient warrior Howe wasn't as critical of today's game as Roy, but he did express his disdain for the constant hooking and interference. "The big guys are so strong," said Mr. Hockey, "they can hook you in the armpit and throw you into the crowd." He said he also hated hits from behind during his playing days, and would retaliate, "even if it was my mother." He added, "My back was part of my livelihood." . . . Boston captain Joe Thornton lit up upon hearing that Bourque is starting to entertain the thought of getting involved again in the game. "That would be great," said Jumbo Joe. "I mean, he's one of the best defensemen of all time. Hopefully, it would be with the Bruins." Added Nick Boynton, "That would be great. Obviously, you don't need to say much. To have him around, one of the greatest of all time, to have him critique your game, it definitely wouldn't be a bad thing." . . . Glen Murray thought the pace yesterday was much faster than last year's game. Why? "Not sure," he said. "Maybe because we lost [last year]?" . . . Ex-Bruin netminder Cleon Daskalakis accompanied Bourque. He aids Bourque in many of his off-ice enterprises . . . Florida netminder Roberto Luongo lingered a while in the dressing room, his leg pads still in place. Each looked big enough that, with the slightest augmentation, they might be able to house a family of four.