Player Discussion Zdeno Chara - III

[Dennis Bonvie]

I'd let Chara and Krug go and get Pietrangelo to pair with Mcavoy

Two righties, won't pair.

 

[08SeaBass08]

If the player in question was under contract, I can see your point. But to go out and resign him adds a layer to this debate/discussion, IMO. If they do bring him back, I take that as an indictment on what they think the young guys in the system really are.

If it were a someone other than Chara, I'd agree completely. My understanding (and I'm not sure where/when/how I got it) is they've told him he can come back on one year deals as long as he wants.

 

[Dr Hook]

If it were a someone other than Chara, I'd agree completely. My understanding (and I'm not sure where/when/how I got it) is they've told him he can come back on one year deals as long as he wants.

Sweeney said something like that a couple years ago I think, but not exactly that. But if that is really true, that is a hell of a way to run a hockey team.

 

[LSCII]

If it were a someone other than Chara, I'd agree completely. My understanding (and I'm not sure where/when/how I got it) is they've told him he can come back on one year deals as long as he wants.

Seeing how Chara looked after the return, I'd say it would be a huge statement on what they think they have in the young guys currently. If they did it after the early part of this season when Chara looked really solid, I think you'd be spot on. The big question is what version are you getting? The one that showed he could still be useful, or the post virus return one that looked gassed, frail, poorly skating, and easily knocked off the puck?

 

[08SeaBass08]

Seeing how Chara looked after the return, I'd say it would be a huge statement on what they think they have in the young guys currently. If they did it after the early part of this season when Chara looked really solid, I think you'd be spot on. The big question is what version are you getting? The one that showed he could still be useful, or the post virus return one that looked gassed, frail, poorly skating, and easily knocked off the puck?

Fair enough. Again, I'm saying what @Dr Hook clarified - that a few years ago, Sweeney said something to that effect. At this point, maybe it's time to alter any such agreement, but that wasn't my point. It is really quite astonishing how differently he played in the bubble.

 

[LSCII]

Fair enough. Again, I'm saying what @Dr Hook clarified - that a few years ago, Sweeney said something to that effect. At this point, maybe it's time to alter any such agreement, but that wasn't my point. It is really quite astonishing how differently he played in the bubble.

TBH, I'm more concerned what I saw out of Carlo during his bubble play than Chara. Chara just looked slow, but he's looked that way for a while. You can cover up that deficiency more readily than how many mental mistakes Carlo had.

 

[08SeaBass08]

TBH, I'm more concerned what I saw out of Carlo during his bubble play than Chara. Chara just looked slow, but he's looked that way for a while. You can cover up that deficiency more readily than how many mental mistakes Carlo had.

That was pretty surprising, too. He was terrific last year and the years he got hurt at the end of the season really impacted the playoffs for the team.

 

[Mick Riddleton]

Everyone is kidding themselves, if he comes back he is playing top minutes on the top pair. Come playoff time he will be a target and so will Mac. Wasted year again in my view. Time to move on and we seen when he is in the box, the PK is just fine without him.

Use that million or two and add that to Krugs money to get Hall and get a second line for once.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Everyone is kidding themselves, if he comes back he is playing top minutes on the top pair. Come playoff time he will be a target and so will Mac. Wasted year again in my view. Time to move on and we seen when he is in the box, the PK is just fine without him.

Use that million or two and add that to Krugs money to get Hall and get a second line for once.

The shutdown was like a full off-season and his ability clearly deteriorated. Now he is facing another one going on age 44. I would bring him back at $1M only if you
are bringing in AP from STL.

In all honesty they are going to miss his intimidation factor now, even at 43/44 years old.

They really should focus on Pietrangelo.

 

[Mainehockey33]

Seeing how Chara looked after the return, I'd say it would be a huge statement on what they think they have in the young guys currently. If they did it after the early part of this season when Chara looked really solid, I think you'd be spot on. The big question is what version are you getting? The one that showed he could still be useful, or the post virus return one that looked gassed, frail, poorly skating, and easily knocked off the puck?

I don't think that's true. If they had Krug signed and brought Chara back, I'd completely agree. Without Krug They're going to have to rely on one of the kids to play in the NHL fulltime next year. If they don't resign Chara, that means potentially two rookie LD and a guy like Clifton who might as well be a rookie.

Chara will provide some stability next season while they see what guys like Zboril and Lauzon can do in Boston.

 

[Dr Hook]

I don't think that's true. If they had Krug signed and brought Chara back, I'd completely agree. Without Krug They're going to have to rely on one of the kids to play in the NHL fulltime next year. If they don't resign Chara, that means potentially two rookie LD and a guy like Clifton who might as well be a rookie.

Chara will provide some stability next season while they see what guys like Zboril and Lauzon can do in Boston.

They have John Moore for veteran stability and presence on the left side. No need to bring back Chara for that (and before anyone says differently, no I am not equating Moore with Chara on any level other than as veteran tested NHLers). The team cannot be surprised by this situation. They seem to have planned for Krug's possible departure (no contract talks during the season as exhibit A) and they would have been fools to count on Chara as a lock to continuing to play.

 

[Mainehockey33]

They have John Moore for veteran stability and presence on the left side. No need to bring back Chara for that (and before anyone says differently, no I am not equating Moore with Chara on any level other than as veteran tested NHLers). The team cannot be surprised by this situation. They seem to have planned for Krug's possible departure (no contract talks during the season as exhibit A) and they would have been fools to count on Chara as a lock to continuing to play.

Moore is an option, but I think Chara is still better than Moore. If Chara is used in a limited role I'd rather see him signed and Moore traded.

 

[Dr Hook]

Moore is an option, but I think Chara is still better than Moore. If Chara is used in a limited role I'd rather see him signed and Moore traded.

At some things, yes, so long as they don't involve skating or puckhandling . I would prefer to keep Chara around as a defensive coach and let him work with these guys from that end. His body and skills are pretty much gone in terms of being NHL level, but the experience, the brains, the heart and character are all intact.

 

[Number8]

Seeing how Chara looked after the return, I'd say it would be a huge statement on what they think they have in the young guys currently. If they did it after the early part of this season when Chara looked really solid, I think you'd be spot on. The big question is what version are you getting? The one that showed he could still be useful, or the post virus return one that looked gassed, frail, poorly skating, and easily knocked off the puck?

I think that's a very valid question. No doubt Big Z looked less than solid. That said, Carlo was perhaps worse in my book and Gryz was pretty bad as well. In short, our D looked terrible compared to the regular season.

I guess the question is whether Z is really showing his age, he had same post break hangover as our other defenders, or a bit of both.

I wonder if our system requires more than other teams, hence the rust? Because some of our guys look putrid while other teams D looked/looks really good in tournament.

Could it be we had a lot of guys local who couldn't skate due to the NorthEast gettting hit early with CV19 and the shutdown?

More questions than answers for me, which is why all of you are lucky I'm not GM.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

I don't think that's true. If they had Krug signed and brought Chara back, I'd completely agree. Without Krug They're going to have to rely on one of the kids to play in the NHL fulltime next year. If they don't resign Chara, that means potentially two rookie LD and a guy like Clifton who might as well be a rookie.

Chara will provide some stability next season while they see what guys like Zboril and Lauzon can do in Boston.

Clifton is not a rookie, he has played about 50 RS games
and 26 PO in 2 years. He is a 5-7 d man who depending
on how he plays will get changed out. Even Lauzon got PO experience this year. Zboril is a true rookie.

 

[Mainehockey33]

Clifton is not a rookie, he has played about 50 RS games
and 26 PO in 2 years. He is a 5-7 d man who depending
on how he plays will get changed out. Even Lauzon got PO experience this year. Zboril is a true rookie.

I know, but I wouldn't want to have to rely on guys like Clifton and Lauzon. Clifton has had some stretches of bad play so it would be nice to have Chara around to stabilize the lineup a bit. Chara just adds more competition, if one of the younger players look better then they should play over Chara.

 

[BRUINS since 1995]

Why couldn't Chara come back as:

1) 3rd pair LD who would mentor Zboril/Lauzon/Clifton the same way he did McAvoy and Carlo before him.

2) Sit out the 2nd half of B2B games in favor of a young guy.

3) 3rd pair would reduce his defensive role as he would get a more even distribution of offensive/defensive zone starts.

4) He'd no longer be Option 1 on the PK (provided they brought in someone who could fill that role).

For a million per, I don't see how this could be a bad move for the Bruins. I mean, before mid-March he was the 1st pairing LD on the best defensive team in the league. On the 3rd pair that's an advantage if utilized correctly.

I think the guy should get one more year.

No problem with Big Z next year . Boston and Big Z will need to sat down to determine 33 role and ice time if he comes back. That is/will be the big challenge for Bruins,Cassidy and Chara. Big Z is a big animal, top horse all his career, will he accept to play 3 rd pairing role?

 

[barstool]

I believe Chara wants to beat Chelios"s record for games played personally I don't want to watch that

 

[BruinDust]

I know it's Eklund but he's saying the Bruins and Chara will be meeting face-to-face in the next few days. Take it for what it is worth.

 

[Barnum]

I know it's Eklund but he's saying the Bruins and Chara will be meeting face-to-face in the next few days. Take it for what it is worth.

Never thought I would hear Eklund’s name again. I mean he rather lies/exaggerates or states the obvious. I mean who couldn’t guess the Bruins would meet Chara in a face to face?

That said, it wouldn’t surprise me if they are working on some sort of deal for his after retirement and keeping him around at some capacity. The word I keep hearing is Chara does not want to drag his family around nor be separated from them. My only question is if he would be better in the front office or down on the ice as a coach. Chara is a very intelligent guy, it could go either way.

 

[WhalerTurnedBruin55]

Never thought I would hear Eklund’s name again. I mean he rather lies/exaggerates or states the obvious. I mean who couldn’t guess the Bruins would meet Chara in a face to face?

That said, it wouldn’t surprise me if they are working on some sort of deal for his after retirement and keeping him around at some capacity. The word I keep hearing is Chara does not want to drag his family around nor be separated from them. My only question is if he would be better in the front office or down on the ice as a coach. Chara is a very intelligent guy, it could go either way.

Just curious. If Chara was a player... but not dressed that night, would he be able to stand on the bench (assuming an "unofficial" assistant coach role?)

 

[BruinDust]

Never thought I would hear Eklund’s name again. I mean he rather lies/exaggerates or states the obvious. I mean who couldn’t guess the Bruins would meet Chara in a face to face?

That said, it wouldn’t surprise me if they are working on some sort of deal for his after retirement and keeping him around at some capacity. The word I keep hearing is Chara does not want to drag his family around nor be separated from them. My only question is if he would be better in the front office or down on the ice as a coach. Chara is a very intelligent guy, it could go either way.

Yeah normally I wouldn't even mention Eklund but what he is saying seems fairly plausible. It's not a stretch at all what he's saying.

Fact is, Sweeney and the Bruins are going to continually get questioned about the Chara situation until there is a resolution. It could also be perceived they are jerking him around (I did at one point but do not believe they are anymore).

 

[rocketdan9]

The Boston Bruins haven’t made any secret that Chara could only return in a reduced role where he would probably 15-17 minutes a night as a bottom-pairing defenseman, and would be utilized to kill penalties and to protect one-goal leads in the third periods of games. It could even mean that Chara would be a healthy scratch from time-to-time against faster, skilled hockey teams given the youth and depth Boston expects to have on the back end next season.

We already saw his role reduced to third pairing levels in game 4 and 5 vs TBL. In game 5, 3rd period (or was it game 4) we didn't see Chara for like the first 5 mins.

 

[Barnum]

Just curious. If Chara was a player... but not dressed that night, would he be able to stand on the bench (assuming an "unofficial" assistant coach role?)

That’s a good question and in the old days, I believe the player/coaches could stand in the bench if not suited. I wanna say Bill Russell did that but do not quote me. It’s also basketball but I would venture he would be allowed to be on the bench as a coach if injured or scratched. He would need the title though.

Yeah normally I wouldn't even mention Eklund but what he is saying seems fairly plausible. It's not a stretch at all what he's saying.

Fact is, Sweeney and the Bruins are going to continually get questioned about the Chara situation until there is a resolution. It could also be perceived they are jerking him around (I did at one point but do not believe they are anymore).

Nah dude, my slight of Eklund has nothing to do with your post. I mean, its not like everything he says is not true, it’s just that the things he says that are true...are obvious and usually well known.

I am not on the hate Sweeney/Neely bandwagon, so I thought they were always on the up and up with Chara and negotiating in good faith or Chara would have left. Remember those two still have to deal with the biggest douche and cheapskate of Boston, in Jeremy Jacobs and son. And his business is not doing well ATM and there is a ton of uncertainty surrounding the next season.

Can’t pay players when you can’t sell crappy hot dogs to crowd-less arenas.

 

[rocketdan9]

I know it's Eklund but he's saying the Bruins and Chara will be meeting face-to-face in the next few days. Take it for what it is worth.

My guess is that the Bruins won't budge from their position/situation (reduced role/salary). It already happened vs TBL in the playoffs.

And Chara/agent is exploring options to join another contending team on a regular role.... or contemplate retirement if options are to play a reduce role and/or for a bottom standing team