Player Discussion Zdeno Chara - II

[NDiesel]

I think he has a few years left in him as 2nd or 3rd pairing guy. He can't get much slower and will always have his reach...health is the deciding factor really.

 

[Greek_physique]

Simply put he was amazing.

It's going to suck when he has to hang them up.

 

[whatsbruin]

Put him at 2nd pairing with around 20 or just under minutes and he'll be good.

 

[Jean_Jacket41]

Simply put he was amazing.

It's going to suck when he has to hang them up.

Agree. Another very good year for the big man. We have been lucky to have him on the team for all these years.

Now, he is in the last year of his contract at 4M on the Cap next year. I would sign him to 1y deal as long as he wants to play. Great mentor for the plehtora of Young ELC that will make the jump in the next few years.

 

[Central Scrutinizer]

He is still a top pairing dman.

I think he is better than Bourque was this late in their careers.

Chara is all about hard work and no excuses. Who better to mentor the young Dman in the system like Carlo,McAvoy and possibly, Lindgren,Zboril and Lauzon?

Bruins need to talk to Z, extend him and guarentee him a lifelong job with the team.

 

[bruinmann77]

we will need him to teach the youngsters on the blue line

 

[Braunbaer]

Zdeno Chara is a god.

 

[4ORRBRUIN]

Zdeno Chara is a god.

No that's Bobby Orr But Z is a great Bruin and Im proud to call him one.

 

[Ratty]

Glad Z is around for one last season to continue to mentor McAvoy, while Carlo graduates to more responsibility backing up Krug.

I can see McAvoy, after a year plus this year's experience, anchoring the first pair on D, helping to break in a Lauzon or Zboril in 2018-2019. The latter two gaining pro experience in Providence with call-ups.

Bruins' defense 2018-2019:

Lauzon-McAvoy
Krug-Carlo
O'Gara-C. Miller
Zboril, K. Miller

 

[toasterjam]

Man I'm seriously gonna miss the Chara era bruins, it's easy to take him for granted after we have gotten to watch him for so long. It's gonna be sad losing that last bit of real intimidation factor from our blueline, he still throws big hits but doesnt fight anymore but the intimidation of him on the ice, still regularly plants forwards along the boards, that was a HUGE part of our identity as a big, bad, tough Bruins team...that's a big toughness hole to fill. His presence immediately calms down scrums after the whistle as players know mad Chara could squash them. Who else is left? K.Miller and Mcquaid in terms of physically imposing themselves on others. Gonna be a big loss in attitude and confidence without Z.

I know it's not over yet but we are closing in on it...hasnt fully hit me but I know it will take some major adjusting when he finally retires and we look back at the D and not see the big man there.

He is such a stabilizing force and the fact he can still be so good at his age is just amazing, he is a legend and I'm so happy I got to witness his reign.

There were some rough years between Bourque and Chara on the Bruins D. What a homerun signing Chara turned out to be.

Anyway...so yea I know it's not over yet for him on the Bruins but as the series closed it made me realize we don't have many more opportunities to see Chara in some playoff hockey.

Will always love Chara, a true leader and warrior!

I think he will be very important playing the role model for the younger D that are coming up and it will be great for them to look back on their own careers and get to remember breaking into the league and having Big Z as their mentor and captain. Pretty ****ing special!

 

[chizzler]

He is still a top pairing dman.

I think he is better than Bourque was this late in their careers.

Chara is all about hard work and no excuses. Who better to mentor the young Dman in the system like Carlo,McAvoy and possibly, Lindgren,Zboril and Lauzon?

Bruins need to talk to Z, extend him and guarentee him a lifelong job with the team.

I don't know about Bourque though. Reducing his minutes a lot would be a smart move. I think next year's D can afford to give him less minutes.

 

[SPLBRUIN]

He was very good this year and in the playoffs, looks like he may have a couple of more good seasons in him. The man is a freak of nature and a future HOF, enjoy him while we can.

 

[Bruinfanatic]

It's funny with Chara he got better as series went along,first couple of games he was terrible falling down getting knocked down,the brain fart chipping the puck over the glass.Then I guess he got his playoff game going and was a beast the rest of the way.Dont have a problem with Bruins extending him a season or two but not as a 1-2 defence 3-4 with vastly reduced time.

 

[TMac21]

Held this D together, playing big minutes.

After next season I'd say he has 2 left in him at a 15 minute a night pace.

 

[Dueling Banjos]

I hope i make it to Boston in time to have a privilege to see him on ice in person.

And i want to see him hugging Krug after the goal.

 

[kdog82]

The man is a beast! I'd give him one year deals at a time after next season. He will serve as a mentor for our young dmen and can still be an excellent bottom pair dman.

#zeezus

 

[Sheppy]

Big Z wants a contract extension. I have been pretty hard on him, but what would you guys do? Extend him for 2-2.5M?

I wouldn't go any higher than that.

 

[Gee Wally]

Ty Anderson of WEEI reports that Zdeno Chara won’t be done with hockey after next year, and wishes to sign another contract after his current deal expires next summer. Chara will be playing next season at the age of 40, and because of that he’ll actually be much less of a burden on the Boston Bruins cap.

https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2017/04/zdeno-chara-wants.html

 

[Jorah Marshmont]

Big Z wants a contract extension. I have been pretty hard on him, but what would you guys do? Extend him for 2-2.5M?

I wouldn't go any higher than that.

Absolutely. 1 year deals with bonuses after next season seems like a good plan to me.

 

[Oates2Neely]

Chara is still a shutdown monster. And he'll be more valuable at his new cap hit and reduced minutes. With Krug Carlo McAvoy picking up TOI, I can see Chara playing another 3 years of strong 2nd pairing hockey

 

[PB37]

It depends on how he looks next year and what his demands are.

Personally, I would keep it on a year to year basis, low salary ( around 2 mill ) with bonus money attached to make it more.

He would be a great mentor to the younger kids coming up and looking to forge a career in the NHL. Carlo raved about how much he's learned playing with Chara and McAvoy is about to do the year long thing with him as well.

I'd love to see him retire as a Bruin. However, there's the business/roster building side to the equation that the Bruins have to consider as well. O'Gara, Lauzon, Zboril could very well be busting down the door here in a couple of years.

 

[reillysmith38]

At his worst he will be a penalty killing specialist.

Luckily for us and his work ethic it will take at least a few more years until he reaches that level.

Like others have said he's fine to play top 4 minutes until proven otherwise.

 

[Salem13]

If he signs for less than three million per season I'll pay his contract.

 

[GarbageGoal]

Did I miss them extending him one more year at some point? I thought this last season was the end of his long term deal?

I miss Cap Geek.

 

[Flannelman]

Did I miss them extending him one more year at some point? I thought this last season was the end of his long term deal?

I miss Cap Geek.

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/zdeno-chara