Can the news between games of the NHL playoffs get anymore depressing? First, we have the Mike Danton arrest, and earlier today we get the news that New Jersey Devils head coach Pat Burns has colon cancer:
"For those who know me well, I've never backed down from any fight," Burns said."And I'm not going to back down from this one."
Burns, 52, said his status with the Devils will be determined in six to eight weeks, when the treatment ends. He will have treatment five days a week, beginning this week.
Burns spoke to reporters at Continental Airlines Arena, with his wife and Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello nearby. Burns read from a prepared statement and did not answer questions.
"The last month or so I have not been feeling well," he said. "There were signs that something was not right, but I was reluctant to do anything because the playoffs were coming up."
As he said, given Burns' history, I'm giving him a pretty good shot at beating this. Good luck to Burns and his family in what's sure to be a difficult fight.
