Anthony Travalgia: The end of the Zdeno Chara era in Boston Zdeno Chara has signed a one-year contract with the Washington Capitals.

It's not often that a move surprises me. This one did. And for the Caps. Wow. This is weird. Gonna be like seeing Bourque suit up for the Avalanche.

Well bright side the main offseason target of Kevan Miller got signed.

800k that's 3rd pairing money. Hard to see them not match that for a 1 year deal. Fans will not be pleased.

It was time.

It's not often that a move surprises me. This one did. And for the Caps. Wow. This is weird. Gonna be like seeing Bourque suit up for the Avalanche.
- GalacticStone

Wendel Clark playing for the Red Wings was very weird. I hated it.

So dumb for the Bruins to allow this to happen.

He signs with Washington for what is essentially the minimum NHL salary.

Somebody in Bruin management has overthought the situation.

Sometimes there is a right and wrong thing to do.

Sad day for hockey.

It's not often that a move surprises me. This one did. And for the Caps. Wow. This is weird. Gonna be like seeing Bourque suit up for the Avalanche.
- GalacticStone

Not the same as the Bourque situation...that was the Bruins respecting the guy and trying to give him the best chance of getting a Cup. This is a pure stab in the back. They knew all along they weren't going to sign him but played along all off-season making it sound like they were waiting on Chara to decide what he wanted to do...total BS from Don and Cam....classless!

Perhaps this is the beginning of the end of Sweely...

stupid and disappointing move by management. bruins got alot smaller in many ways. thanks big z for bringing the cup back to boston. hope he scores a few against us to prove a point

stupid and disappointing move by management. bruins got alot smaller in many ways. thanks big z for bringing the cup back to boston. hope he scores a few against us to prove a point
- bosman

Wouldn't be surprised if this classless and clueless Neely run group retires his number this season with no fans in attendance.

Wow!!! This is strange. Thought it was just a matter of time before he resigned.

He should have hung them up. So now he rides the pine for the Caps or gets on the ice and proves the Bruins right. He's been in a rapid decline for a couple of years. Wish he had signed with the Leafs so we could watch him get turn styled on a more regular basis.

Wendel Clark playing for the Red Wings was very weird. I hated it.


- gergeswillems

Seeing Wendel play for the Lightning was briefly weird. Cool though.

Not the same as the Bourque situation...that was the Bruins respecting the guy and trying to give him the best chance of getting a Cup. This is a pure stab in the back. They knew all along they weren't going to sign him but played along all off-season making it sound like they were waiting on Chara to decide what he wanted to do...total BS from Don and Cam....classless!

Perhaps this is the beginning of the end of Sweely...
- bluemoon737

Chara should have retired as a Bruin. If they ran him out of town, then that's weak.

I don't think money was the issue. We have a logjam of young defense talent they want to see what they can do. Some big bodies there too... just not in the Z weight class. lol

Best of luck Z. Was glad you were here for the last 14 years to provide great leadership.

I feel like the Bruins could have had their cake, and ate too. They could have signed Chara, played him in 30-35 games. Keep him healthy and rested over the condensed season, and have plenty of time for the kids.

I’m embarrassed to be a Bruins fan today! Last time I felt this way was when they shipped Joe Thornton out of town.

I get that Sweeney maybe wanted to move on. But the lies make me sick. Oh we have to see about our cap and how it shakes out and we have to wait for this blah blah blah. All lies.. This whole management group is gutless and that is a shame considering Neely is in the fold.

What a joke. How do you treat a 14 yr captain in this manner is certainly mind boggling. All I know for certain is Every Bruin plays 6” smaller now. Good thing Don reached for Kevin Millar in FA. good lord

He should have hung them up. So now he rides the pine for the Caps or gets on the ice and proves the Bruins right. He's been in a rapid decline for a couple of years. Wish he had signed with the Leafs so we could watch him get turn styled on a more regular basis.
- Hardbalz

He was a top pairing dman for the B’s, played 21 minutes a game last year, solid on the PK and was +25. Played against the other teams top lines. They won the presidents trophy. But he is washed??

He was a top pairing dman for the B’s, played 21 minutes a game last year, solid on the PK and was +25. Played against the other teams top lines. They won the presidents trophy. But he is washed??
- Tachmo

I do t understand it. I guess Chara wanted more ice time than they were willing to give??? Signed for maybe the league minimum. How do you not bring him back.

Obviously the Bruins are going for better draft picks and NOT chasing after the Cup!

Chara should have retired as a Bruin. If they ran him out of town, then that's weak.
- GalacticStone

Didn't run him out per se, but had no intention of re-signing him but played along all off season indicating they were waiting on Chara's decision. Absolutely they were hoping he would decide to retire so they could save face...gutless!

I’m embarrassed to be a Bruins fan today! Last time I felt this way was when they shipped Joe Thornton out of town.

I get that Sweeney maybe wanted to move on. But the lies make me sick. Oh we have to see about our cap and how it shakes out and we have to wait for this blah blah blah. All lies.. This whole management group is gutless and that is a shame considering Neely is in the fold.

What a joke. How do you treat a 14 yr captain in this manner is certainly mind boggling. All I know for certain is Every Bruin plays 6” smaller now. Good thing Don reached for Kevin Millar in FA. good lord
- Tachmo

You give Sweeney too much credit, he is Neely's lap dog...this has Neely written all over it.

You give Sweeney too much credit, he is Neely's lap dog...this has Neely written all over it.
- bluemoon737

i’m really trying.... but this is unexplainable...
Even worse but the insider Haggs has to justify it. Can the boston market not find a better insider. Guy is a complete moron..

i’m really trying.... but this is unexplainable...
Even worse but the insider Haggs has to justify it. Can the boston market not find a better insider. Guy is a complete moron..
- Tachmo

Yeah, I swear the guy hates the Bruins and loves it when things don't go well. All of them over at NBCSports Boston seem to love it when things are down for the Bruins. Most articles about how the off-season was officially a failure because they didn't sign Hoffman.

Sweeney and Neely are absolute poopbags in my opinion. Yes it was time (was a few seasonsa go) for Z to go from a top pairing D to a 5/6 D and mentoring the younger guys and leading by example. Nobody had the work ethic of Z and for Washington to get that for so little is ridiculous. I hope the Caps put the B's out this season and Sweens and Neely's arses are booted out of Beantown. Absolute no win in this decision for the B's.

Read Sweeney's tweet, he basically makes it sound like this was Chara's decision. "I wish Zdeno and his family the very best with their decision to join another organization at this time". What a joke...