Former Bruins Zdeno Chara

TD Charlie

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Sep 10, 2007
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Understood. I think.

If the argument is, play PRO prospects/cheapo free agents, etc., that is reasonable.

If the argument is Connor Clifton, Derek Forbort, or Mike Reilly, no. Gryz is better than Reilly. Forbort was good at shot blocking, though I'm not certain what else. He seems like a stiff to me. Clifton? I don't know -- I don't know -- but the vibe I get is that he remains a risk, undependable. I'm tired of the experiment.

Z would not solve these problems, of course, and I don't expect his return. Unfortunately, I think some of that has to do with Sweeney and Neely admitting they were wrong to let him go previously, when the D "youth movement" proved a bust. Some of that might be Z saying "Screw you" per same.

In the event, whatever happens I remain a huge Zdeno Chara fan.
I am also a huge fan of Chara, and of course I respect the heck out of the guy.

To the bolded; I'd rather either one of those options over Chara at this point.

Please don't play for the leafs.
For Zdeno Chara's sake, I agree!
 

BlackFrancis

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By simple counting stats, Zdeno played more minutes and the Isles performed better in them than Forbort. He was a net positive in goals scored at even strength and was really good killing penalties, though he played about half the shorthanded ice time Forbort did last season.

Chara looked pretty bad on the expected numbers - significantly worse than Forbort.

I think he'd be brilliant depth, but I'm still not sure he'd be able to shrug off his pride and return as a depth/role player.
 

BigBadBruins7708

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Dec 11, 2017
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By simple counting stats, Zdeno played more minutes and the Isles performed better in them than Forbort. He was a net positive in goals scored at even strength and was really good killing penalties, though he played about half the shorthanded ice time Forbort did last season.

Chara looked pretty bad on the expected numbers - significantly worse than Forbort.

I think he'd be brilliant depth, but I'm still not sure he'd be able to shrug off his pride and return as a depth/role player.

Chara did manage to have only 1 less point than Carlo in 7 fewer games last year. He had the same ESGA/60 as Carlo and McAvoy, 2.2...almost half the SHGA/60 of McAvoy (3.3 vs 6.1)

Yes, his transition game is gone. But, he's still a good option as purely a shutdown role.
 

BNHL

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Dec 22, 2006
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The game I saw him in Boston last year,he played do ineffectively it was cringeworthy. He played low teen minutes and they played him the last shift of the game when it was way out of reach. I wish it wasn't true,but it looked like he was just a roster plug.
 

Dellstrom

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May 1, 2011
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I truly hope he retires a Bruin, as well as Lucic if he’d like, but I think they both played their last games as Bruins. I would prefer for it to stay that way than watch them struggle on their way out. Not that either are unproductive players, but I think we can start developing some players in the bottom-6.

Maybe at the deadline if we’re in a playoff spot, they fill a gap and we can get them for cheap. Either way, #33 will be in the Garden permanently the year after he retires.
 
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BMC

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I dont really see the downside if he's cheap for a year but might be an awkward scenario where he used to be Captain and he left and Bergy is the Captain now. Idk maybe not, just one of my thoughts.

If anyone could make a scenario like that work, it is Zdeno Chara & Patrice Bergeron. They're both professionals, they respect each other & played together for a long time. Not an issue IMO.
 

Number8

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Oct 31, 2007
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I wouldnt. He’s a shell of his former self and I couldnt bear it.
Im all for him signing a one day contract and hoisting 33 to the rafters.
I'm with Wally on this one. Big Z earned and deserved too much respect to risk it here in Boston. If he wants to play somewhere else and it doesn't go well, then fans there can get on him. It would break my heart to have fans rag on him here.

One day contract and screw putting #33 on the banner. Just a huge, brilliant, dominating CAPITAL Z.
 

BMC

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I think the problem is that the Bruins didn't commit to the youth movement at D. They never let anyone outside of Charlie Mac, Gryz, and maybe Connor Clifton have meaningful minutes. Zboril, Lauzon, and co all got injured way too much to know what they truly were. Prospects just don't become NHLers if they are stuck in the AHL.

Also it is on them (the prospects) to earn their spots. If Z is as bad as some say he is he won't be able to hold off an NHL ready prospect.
 
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missingchicklet

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Jan 24, 2010
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By simple counting stats, Zdeno played more minutes and the Isles performed better in them than Forbort. He was a net positive in goals scored at even strength and was really good killing penalties, though he played about half the shorthanded ice time Forbort did last season.

Chara looked pretty bad on the expected numbers - significantly worse than Forbort.

I think he'd be brilliant depth, but I'm still not sure he'd be able to shrug off his pride and return as a depth/role player.
Hit the nail on the head. He can definitely still be an effective situational d-man in the NHL. Games I watched him last season he still has some beast mode left in the tank on his own end. I'd take him in a heartbeat if he signed a cheap contract with the understanding he would have a strictly depth role. Hard to see Z accepting that. Monty's system is not made for a guy like Z at this point in his career. Z's hand-eye coordination and speed simply aren't there any more to be a full-time NHLer on a Cup contender. My love and respect for Z is on the level just below Orr. Have to face reality, though.
 

Fenian24

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Jun 14, 2010
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I would bring Chara back in a heartbeat. The D needs another physical D to go with McAvoy and Clifton. Unless they can add a Gudas, Hakanpaa or Dillon Chara fills the roll fine for 60 games or so.

Watch his couple games against Nashville, he can still bring a physical presence when needed.
 
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smithformeragent

Moderator
Sep 22, 2005
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That's leaving things a bit late, isn't it? :dunno:
Maybe looking for the right fit and a shorter workload.

I'd assume it's not about the money so much at this point for Z, so I don't see cap space being too much of an issue.

I don't see it with the B's, considering how things ended here. It feels like both sides have moved on.

It'll be interesting as to what his legacy is in Boston.
Heard a good interview this morning with a media member in Los Angeles concerning the statue they're going to put up of Dustin Brown.

It'll be interesting how this core gets remembered in terms of retired numbers, hall of famers, statues, etc.

I've said it before, and I'll repeat it.
EVERYTHING changed when they signed Chara.

1660231881227.png

1660231902822.png
 

Alicat

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Maybe looking for the right fit and a shorter workload.

I'd assume it's not about the money so much at this point for Z, so I don't see cap space being too much of an issue.

I don't see it with the B's, considering how things ended here. It feels like both sides have moved on.

It'll be interesting as to what his legacy is in Boston.
Heard a good interview this morning with a media member in Los Angeles concerning the statue they're going to put up of Dustin Brown.

It'll be interesting how this core gets remembered in terms of retired numbers, hall of famers, statues, etc.

I've said it before, and I'll repeat it.
EVERYTHING changed when they signed Chara.

View attachment 576388
View attachment 576389
Captain Zdeno Forever
 

Fenian24

Registered User
Jun 14, 2010
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Maybe looking for the right fit and a shorter workload.

I'd assume it's not about the money so much at this point for Z, so I don't see cap space being too much of an issue.

I don't see it with the B's, considering how things ended here. It feels like both sides have moved on.

It'll be interesting as to what his legacy is in Boston.
Heard a good interview this morning with a media member in Los Angeles concerning the statue they're going to put up of Dustin Brown.

It'll be interesting how this core gets remembered in terms of retired numbers, hall of famers, statues, etc.

I've said it before, and I'll repeat it.
EVERYTHING changed when they signed Chara.

View attachment 576388
View attachment 576389
The day he announces his retirement a date should be set to retire his number. When Bergeron has retired same thing. Krejci and Rask are the two from the core that I am not sure about. Cheevers or Brimsek should be the first goalie retired number. Marchand is a possibility.

Bergeron and Chara are sure fire Hall of Famers, Rask is probably as well. Marchand is a maybe again based on what the next few seasons bring. He is close to the HOF now but he needs to better his numbers by a bit. (I base Marchand on Gillies going in)

No statues, the one they have is the only one they should ever have.
 

BMC

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Maybe looking for the right fit and a shorter workload.

I'd assume it's not about the money so much at this point for Z, so I don't see cap space being too much of an issue.

I don't see it with the B's, considering how things ended here. It feels like both sides have moved on.

It'll be interesting as to what his legacy is in Boston.
Heard a good interview this morning with a media member in Los Angeles concerning the statue they're going to put up of Dustin Brown.

It'll be interesting how this core gets remembered in terms of retired numbers, hall of famers, statues, etc.

I've said it before, and I'll repeat it.
EVERYTHING changed when they signed Chara.

View attachment 576388
View attachment 576389

Yes the day Big Z signed on is equal to the day Bobby Orr signed. Both men changed the franchise forever.
 

McGarnagle

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Aug 5, 2017
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Here's where I'd be open to signing Z:

- League minimum, or less than $1M at absolute most
- Bergy keeps the C
- Limited workload - not playing every night, absolutely no back-to-backs, preferably getting at least one game off a week. Injuries to others may force him into more work but it's not ideal.
- 3rd pairing at even strength, or, depending on the state of the forward lines at any given time, dressed as a 7th D against selected opponents - very little even strength play, mainly kept on the bench as a PK specialist.
- Extensive PK work, maybe some 2nd PP unit point if his slapshot still claps but his mobility has me inclined to say no on that front.

That's where I am. If he wants to work within those parameters, I welcome him back fully. If he wants more regular strength ice time and to play 80 games next year, good luck somewhere else and we'll see you when we retire your jersey after you retire.
 

Riverfront

Registered User
Jan 5, 2015
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Big Z , yes mobility is an issue, but paired with a partner who can skate would help.
He does alot more in some areas that other bruins D cannot.
penalty kill, toughness, leadership,
so paired on the third pairing with i.e. Gryzlyck or Carlo and final 2 minutes in a game to hold
onto a lead paired with McCavoy wouldn't hurt the team.
I think big Z can still handle 12-14 minutes of ice time a night. That is roughly 4-5 minutes in
a period.
i would take Z at 750,000 AAV over Forbort or Reilly at 3 million anyday of the week.
 

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