Player Discussion Zdeno Chara - III

[False Start]

The captain part is such an underrated aspect in the hockey world when hockey media talks about the greatest leaders in the game. Yes, Mark Messier was a great leader. But Chara is right there with him.

Single handed, he instilled a culture and an attitude the moment he arrived in Boston. Bergeron jumped on board and the rest is history. It began with Chara. It's one of the reasons players want to stay in Boston. And I would say one of the reasons players are willing to take less to stay in Boston.

But it won't end when Chara is gone. Think of the group that has known nothing but the Bruins. McAvoy, Carlo, DeBrusk, Gryz, Bjork, Pasta.....

Not only have they learned what great leadership is all about, they'll pass it on to the next group to come along.

When it comes to that aspect, I am really having a tough time finding another Bruins in it's history that I can say "yeah, he was a better leader then Big Z"

Reading that article about Axel Andersson only exemplifies everything you wrote.

We have a great group in the room with all the veterans. Bergeron, Chara, even Krejci lead by example in the best way possible.

 

[Boston Bandit]

https://nesn.com/2019/12/no-10-moment-of-the-decade-zdeno-charas-return-in-stanley-cup-final/

 

[Gee Wally]

How much longer will Zdeno Chara play? He’s not saying - The Boston Globe


While New England awaits Tom Brady’s next steps, the other fortysomething sports icon in our midst hinted Monday that he, too, isn’t certain what the future holds beyond his current contract.

Bruins captain Zdeno Chara will turn 43 in March and is on a one-year contract that expires this spring. When asked following the club’s morning workout in Brighton about his playing future, the 22-year NHL veteran waxed nearly Belichickian.

When a Globe reporter said he assumed Chara would want to play beyond 2019-20, he said, “We’ll see. I’m right now here, and talking to you guys and getting ready for Nashville.”

When told that his response sounded very Patriot-like, Chara flashed a broad smile and said, “Does it? I’m learning, too.”

 

[RHR37]

I've had the opportunity to meet Z on more than one occasion.

My son loves him. They always say to never meet your idles.

Well with Z it was the complete opposite.

Without going into to much detail on how me and my son got to meet some of the Bs.

Let me just tell you Zdeno Chara is exactly as advertised. A gentlemen through and through and went well out of his way and took way more time with my son then needed.

Class act all the way!

Whatever he decides with his future he has earned on and off the ice.

 

[Bruinaura]

I've had the opportunity to meet Z on more than one occasion.

My son loves him. They always say to never meet your idles.

Well with Z it was the complete opposite.

Without going into to much detail on how me and my son got to meet some of the Bs.

Let me just tell you Zdeno Chara is exactly as advertised. A gentlemen through and through and went well out of his way and took way more time with my son then needed.

Class act all the way!

Whatever he decides with his future he has earned on and off the ice.

Zee is one of a kind, that's for sure

I selfishly hope he stays with the Bruins in some capacity when he is done playing. He could at least skate the giant flag the fans pass around in the stands, all by himself.

 

[missingchicklet]

I hope he is still loving the game. The way he is playing, combined with his dedication to fitness make me think he can keep playing beyond this season. He needs to write a book called, "How to Do Life."

 

[CharasLazyWrister]

Yeah, so his game against Nashville was a somewhat “low key” perfect game for him. Just winning nearly every battle and completely shutting down every threat in his part of the ice.

 

[BAD BOY]

I hope Z plays longer. He’s playing good right now. Hopefully he can maintain his energy come April/ May and go from there. He provides leadership as well. Also hope he can raise the cup one more time but that will be up to the front office.

 

[Mainehockey33]

Yeah, so his game against Nashville was a somewhat “low key” perfect game for him. Just winning nearly every battle and completely shutting down every threat in his part of the ice.

He still crushes guys in the corner, pretty great.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Assistant coach next season.

Bruins have a rash of injuries, last one during warmups. Signs a player contract before the game. Of course, the game is at home. How cool would it be to see him come out of the tunnel in uniform?

 

[Kegs]

Chara has been the best bruins signing in my entire life.

 

[BruinDust]

Chara has been the best bruins signing in my entire life.

I still say he's the best UFA signing of all-time.

Seriously, how many players get to UFA status and play over 1000 games with their new team? Let alone accomplish what Chara has done as a Bruin.

 

[VanIsle]

I still say he's the best UFA signing of all-time.

Seriously, how many players get to UFA status and play over 1000 games with their new team? Let alone accomplish what Chara has done as a Bruin.

Agreed

HM to Scott Stevens and Teemu Selanne.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

Yeah, so his game against Nashville was a somewhat “low key” perfect game for him. Just winning nearly every battle and completely shutting down every threat in his part of the ice.

He has been fantastic this year.

 

[Trap Jesus]

I still say he's the best UFA signing of all-time.

Seriously, how many players get to UFA status and play over 1000 games with their new team? Let alone accomplish what Chara has done as a Bruin.

29 years old when he played his first game in Boston. It's a crazy accomplishment.

 

[BMC]

I still say he's the best UFA signing of all-time.

Seriously, how many players get to UFA status and play over 1000 games with their new team? Let alone accomplish what Chara has done as a Bruin.

I'll bet this is an NHL record

 

[Baddkarma]

When 33 and 37 hang them up, this franchise through no real fault of their own will take a titanic step back "in the room" as they say.

They are HOF players, cup winners, President's cup winners, Norris Trophy winners, Selke Trophy winners, leaders, gentlemen, and community titans. I am sure I'm leaving some out.

Enjoy them while he can people, these are players we as Bruins love to root for and will not stop talking about them, ever...

 

[Dr Hook]

When 33 and 37 hang them up, this franchise through no real fault of their own will take a titanic step back "in the room" as they say.

e

Well hopefully they will have been able to shape the next generation of leaders before then. Bruins have made a point of drafting and signing a ton of players with demonstrated leadership skills and for those guys, coming up with the Bergeron and Chara examples on how it's done could create some continuity.

 

[Secord]

Why are the Bruins letting Chara handle all the freaking fighting, give him no back up, when he's pushing 43 and has a seriously compromised jaw?


I thought when he got hit with that puck that his fighting days would be over, that the Bruins would have the courtesy of having backup to handle those kind of duties from now on, etc. To me, it is a bit of a shame, having to see him awkwardly fend off short left-handed noogies from Maroon because his freaking jaw is compromised. I saw in the title of a video from the last game that he got stunned by a shot from a Pred, and I did not and do not want to watch it.

Bruins are setting themselves up to be jettisoned in the first round. The blueprint is there. Hit em, hit em hard. Impose your will physically on the Bruins and shut down one line. Watching the Bruins now is just a long dragged out prelude to exactly that, what is going to happen in the playoffs if changes aren't made. Difficult to watch my team being the bullied. And seeing the fanbase whine about the physicality of opponents. The Bruins are not imposing their will on any team any time soon. They could out-hustle you, depending on how many are left standing after getting run left and right. You see glimpses of this blueprint be implemented by teams sporadically during the regular season. Since the goal is to be as fresh/injury-free as possible for the playoffs, there is less physical play than ever now in the NHL regular season. Regular season means squat. It masks the inevitability of the playoffs' different game, in which the odds are against the Bruins this year, unless they get a lot tougher to play against and find a way to no longer be a one line team.

 

[alko]

Why are the Bruins letting Chara handle all the freaking fighting, give him no back up, when he's pushing 43

Because its Chara decision. Its coded his DNA.

 

[Jaaanosik]

Because its Chara decision. Its coded his DNA.

You know, his father was a wrestler.
He gave him some pointers how it's done.
Zdeno and Zdenek: the Relationship Between the Charas

“We started to train together. His coach told me that he is too tall to be a hockey player and that he will never be mobile enough to play hockey. But I knew there where many tall players in sports. We started to work on his mobility and movement and it paid off. Just because I was good at fighting, I didn’t want him to become a fighter. But I always wanted him to stand for his teammates,” Zdenek said.

 

[barstool]

Maybe I'm just negative but I hope this is Chara's last year

 

[Gee Wally]

Maybe I'm just negative but I hope this is Chara's last year

no maybe about it.

he’s actually having a solid year. Especially for what hes making.

 

[Trap Jesus]

no maybe about it.

he’s actually having a solid year. Especially for what hes making.

Yeah, Chara has his obvious flaws but it's tough to argue he isn't more than earning his salary this year.

 

[barstool]

no maybe about it.

he’s actually having a solid year. Especially for what hes making.

I don't have your confidence I find he gives the puck away a lot for a veteran and if our centers were not as good in the dot he would be exposed even more and I don't want to watch this next year