There has been a large exodus of NHL players from Europe back to North America in the last weeks, and its caused some to attempt reading the lockout tea leaves. Some have taken it as a sign that the NHL lockout might be nearing an end as it reached it's 88th day of existence on Wednesday, but it likely has more to do with December holiday breaks in the schedule for the Swiss League, KHL and Czech League this week.
The holiday breaks have brought Chara back to Boston where he is skating with local NHL players this week, and Tyler Seguin to North America during a break from his HC Biel team.
One player that has returned home for good is Bruins center Chris Kelly, who headed back home from Switzerland at the beginning of December, according to the teams website.
Kelly played eight games in the National League B at Switzerland for HC Red Ice before playing his final game on Nov. 30. He finished with nine points (4 goals, 5 assists) in his time skating in Switzerland.
While Kelly and goaltender Tuukka Rask have returned from Europe for goodor at least until a decision is made one way or the other about the 2012-13 NHL regular seasonthere are still 10 Bruins skaters currently active on European rosters while waiting out the lockout.
Kelly is entering the first year of a four-year, 12 million contract with the Bruins that the third line pivot signed this summer prior to the work stoppage. Kelly had a career year in his first full campaign with the Bruins, putting up 20 goals, 39 points and a career-best plus-33 for the Black and Gold while serving as an alternate captain.
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