Player Discussion Zdeno Chara IV

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Bmessy

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I haven't been keeping up with any of this, so feel free to educate me, but I know we have a hole on the left side. Chara is still very serviceable with less minutes and defensive assignments.
Are the B's just moving on for the sake of moving on? Even though we have a chasm on our D
Or is Z looking for a longer commitment? 21+mins?
 

smithformeragent

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Screen Shot 2020-10-20 at 10.05.29 AM.png
 

Spoon fed

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Nov 28, 2005
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Probably not the popular opinion, but I don't think they should bring him back.
It's time to move on for all.
Is he serviceable? Sure.
Is he a great captain? yes; Bergeron will easily take this role.

I think it's time to hand the defensive reins over to McAvoy. Rip off the band-aid now.
 
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Dr Hook

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Joey Mac surfaces...


Hmmm. So he's sure it will get done. Why? Because he wants it to get done? No rush= not getting done. They signed Pegleg Miller right out of the gate and he is far less "serviceable"than Chara at this point being still not cleared medically to play.
 

kjpm

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Love Chara and what he means to the franchise, but he's not a top pair guy anymore. I'd love to have him back but in a much more specialized role. Have him eat up minutes on the PK, on d-zone starts and late when protecting a lead. Switch him out with one of the younger guys when they're playing a speedier team like the Canes or Leafs. I think he can still be useful (especially off the ice and in practice) but when the pace picks up he gets exposed too easily. Something like this with Lauzon switching in game to game depending on injuries, performace and matchup:

Grzcelyk - McAvoy
Chara/Zboril - Carlo
Zboril/Chara - Miller/Clifton
Lauzon

I'm guessing the delay is due to the uncertainty surrounding the season. At Chara's age I can't imagine he's all that excited to potentially isolate away from his family again for weeks or months. I'd certainly wait to see what the plan is before committing to anything if I was in his shoes.

I am a bit concerned that maybe he and management aren't on the same page over his role though. He's a competitive guy, maybe he doesn't want to be relegated to a defensive specialist role. If some other team promises him more playing time or a more significant role, would he consider it? I can't imagine he'd want to pick up and move his family after 14 years during a pandemic, but you never know with these guys. I wouldn't begrudge him if he chose to go elsewhere, but I really want to see him retire a Bruin and maybe even move into a management position after he retires.
 

Saxon Eric

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Dec 18, 2005
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I suppose if they expand the rosters by a couple I'd want him back, otherwise time to move on
 
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Dr Hook

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Something else I thought about- if he was brought back with some kind of understanding that he is not going generally going to play back to back nights (I know this was discussed at some point) depending on how a compressed season works out with limited days off between games and probably a bunch of back to backs, he may not be interested. That would be a lot of sitting in the press box for him and he never struck me as the kind of dude that would be interested in that.
 

Dr Hook

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The problem is they don't have anyone to move on to. You can't ask Lauzon or Zboril to step onto the top pair.

You can't ask Chara to do that anymore either. You can ask Gryz to do it, at least long enough to see if one of the young guys has enough ability to complement Charlie. They don't need any of them to be top pairing guys, just competent and able to take the minutes.
 
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dafoomie

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Jul 22, 2005
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Washed up players don't play 21 minutes per game on the 1st place team in the NHL. He looked old in the restart but he had a very good regular season playing the hardest minutes against the top competition. If the Bruins don't take care of him, Tampa will, and he'd be an outstanding addition for them or any other contender.

This is even more foolish considering that they're already down a LD that was playing 20+ minutes a game.
 

BigBadBruins7708

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Washed up players don't play 21 minutes per game on the 1st place team in the NHL. He looked old in the restart but he had a very good regular season playing the hardest minutes against the top competition. If the Bruins don't take care of him, Tampa will, and he'd be an outstanding addition for them or any other contender.

This is even more foolish considering that they're already down a LD that was playing 20+ minutes a game.

Seriously, he was a stalwart taking the toughest minutes and assignments. He was a pure defensive specialist and excelled.

The number of people ok with running with Grzelcyk as the best LD is disturbing
 

PatriceBergeronFan

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Jul 15, 2011
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Yeah, unless the Bruins can trade for a LHD who can play 20 minutes a night, it's not a wise decision to let Chara go and play the kids. Being down two defensemen isn't a wise choice.

Factor in inevitable injuries and this defense would be awful, fast.

Not to mention Chara's still elite defense and toughness.
 
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BadBruins

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Aug 10, 2005
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The problem is they don't have anyone to move on to. You’re asking a lot expecting Lauzon or Zboril to step onto the top pair.

Being put in a position to fail IMO. Like letting Frederic and JFK to battle it out for 3C a couple years ago. Let it happen organically. I don't see any reason to force the issue... unless Chara is asking for assurances/big money (which I find hard to believe).

If signed, he's their top LHD in my books. Not ideal, but that is the reality.

If Lauzon/Zboril/Vaak are ready, they won't have any problem leapfrogging Chara. To this point, they haven't. Special players will force their way in.
 

PB37

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I want Chara on the team, just not on the roster. I think Chara needs to come to grips with his diminished skills and hang them up. He'll go out as one of the best dmen of all time, a Stanley Cup Champ, a Norris Trophy winner, and one of the best captains/leaders in Bruins history. He's got a lot of feathers in his cap and should be a 1st ballot shoo-in.
 
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