Boston Bruins Zdeno Chara back as consultant
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Again, absolute music
Zdeno Chara is back with the Bruins as a consultant. Can Big Z help them from becoming a playoff DNQ? - The Boston Globe
Chara should have the eye to identify players capable of displaying the work ethic and commitment that he displayed here for 14 seasons.www.bostonglobe.com
Vital to reestablishing a committed, disciplined, and competitive culture with the Bruins upon arriving here in July 2006, former franchise defenseman Zdeno Chara recently rejoined club in a front office consultant’s role, amid a disappointing season in which it has become increasingly obvious the roster needs a rework.
Among the game’s most dedicated and fiercest competitors — coined a “killing machine” by his agent, Matt Keator, upon Big Z’s arrival as a free agent — Chara’s greatest value to the franchise today would be to help general manager Don Sweeney and club president Cam Neely better identify player talent and shape a more competitive and Cup-fit roster.
Two sources, each with knowledge of the machinations of the front office, confirmed Chara’s new role in separate discussions with the Globe. Both sources, who are not team employees, requested to remain anonymous.
A team spokesperson, apprised of the Globe report at approximately 3:40 p.m. Wednesday, said Sweeney would issue an update later in the afternoon or early evening about a potential role for Chara in the organization.
Now back in a consultant’s role, Chara will be in position to provide vital input with the league’s March 7 trade deadline approaching. They’ll have to decide in the days ahead if they will be buyers or sellers.
It appears they will be the latter — a position few foresaw when Sweeney and Neely last July reached into the Jacobs family purse and handed free agents Elias Lindholm and Zadorov a combined $77.275 million in hopes of bolstering and reshaping the roster as a Cup contender. To date, they’ve added little.
The season is getting late. It appears both were vast overpays.
Chara is a guy who likes work, welcomes it, thrives on it, in fact lives for it. He is fluent in a handful of languages, a learning task he approached with the zeal of the gangly teenage kid in Trencin, Slovakia, who put himself through monastic workouts in the family’s backyard, using makeshift exercise apparatus that he and his father designed and, in some cases, hung from tree branches and planted in the garden.
It’s clear now, with a season on the line and a franchise worn thin on production and compete, there’s a big task for Big Z to help tackle.
to my ears.I hope this is the beginning of, ah, an "expanded role" with the Bruins.
BigGoalBrad
Registered User
- Jun 3, 2012
- 11,066
- 3,781
Not the best timing since I'm hoping for new upper management in the summer and him joining a GM with no ties to the org in this role would be great.
Anyone know why the Bruins are making that era wait so long for jersey retirement?
Anyone know why the Bruins are making that era wait so long for jersey retirement?
Would be cool if they actually brought him on the ice during practices to establish some intensity.
Time to rekindle an homage to this spoof:
Time to rekindle an homage to this spoof:
Ask Bergy to come help us too.
Could of had Savard as the powerplay coach but ya know...this organization is what it is.
Could of had Savard as the powerplay coach but ya know...this organization is what it is.
particularuncensored
Registered User
- Jan 27, 2025
- 30
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sign him to throw on the skates and play, bet he would be better than 1/2 of the Bruin defenders right now
PlayMakers
Registered User
So is he a pro scout? I'm unclear as to the role he's supposed to fill. "Consultant" could be anything.
Love Chara but I need more information before saying if this is good or bad.
Love Chara but I need more information before saying if this is good or bad.
McGarnagle
Yes.
- Aug 5, 2017
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Oates2Neely
Registered User
DominicT
Registered User
Do we know who hired him yet?
JJ has his own advisor/consultant in Sinden.
Sweeney already has one in Scott Bradley.
Charlie and Cam don't.
Sweeney was apparently supposed to speak last night and I don't see where he did.
I don't mind keeping it vague and open-ended for starters. Lets Chara get more familiar with the management side of things and work out what his particular strengths and interests are and where he needs to learn more, without having the pressure or expectation that attach to being responsible for this or that specific thing/s.
Get his feet wet first, and then see where this goes from here. No need to rush. I see it as a good purely in the fact that he wants to be formally involved. Never hurts to have someone that smart, experienced and invested around.
Chara comes to practice for two minutes
" yeah, they're awful "
Bruins: ok, thanks Z, here's your money
" yeah, they're awful "
Bruins: ok, thanks Z, here's your money
DKH
Worst Poster/Awful Takes
- Feb 27, 2002
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Oates2Neely
Registered User
Great question. Sweeney hasn’t been very visible lately. Maybe busy with four nations prep. Was he aware of this hiring and did he have a say? Was he caught off guard?
chrisab123
Registered User
- Feb 9, 2013
- 2,320
- 1,832
I love Chara. I do. But why? Obviously I would take it as either Sweeney and Neely are safe because they're going to go for it this year or they just want to get as many Bruins Alumni into the organization as possible so if Sweeney does screw up and they miss the playoffs, someone can take over. What this team really needs is a fresh, outside the Bruins organization perspective behind the bench and in the front office. So...anyways...welcome back Z!
gerrycheeversmask
Registered User
Same here. My initial impression was quite cynical, but you're right, no idea what he is actually going to do. I thought at first it was (and might still be) something of a PR stunt. It is so vague at this point.
You should hire me, Dan. I will work cheaper than Chara.
Sheppy
Registered User
I'd be ok with they just put Chara behind the bench. Like just have him stand there and get pissed off.
BruinDust
Registered User
- Aug 2, 2005
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I'll always love Chara regardless of how this turns out. But my initial impression is this is just another attempt to cling onto the past by a franchise that desperately needs to move forward.
Having Chara in the mix is a good thing. Yes, he was here for a long time but he's had experience with other teams who faced a similar crossroads. Z is very methodical and he does his homework. He will never make a decision that is half assed and he'll give you blunt and honest feedback.
We don't want to maim the players.
