Classic Boston. Mishandled and classless. This ownership and front office continue to not get it.

Somebody said it above - you can have your cake and eat it too. Keep Chara at league minimum on a one year term. Reduce his icetime and put him on the 3rd pair and PK. Use him to mentor the young up and coming kids - like an assistant coach of sorts. Keep him in the organization. Even if he gets pushed down the depth chart by outstanding play from younger players, the injury bug is always around, especially with Covid. Having Chara as a 7th or 8th depth d-man is a lot better than what some teams have... *cough* *Luke Schenn* *cough*

The only way this makes any sense at all is if Chara wanted more icetime than he would get in Boston. He does have a competitor's heart and doesn't strike me as the type who would relish a greatly-reduced on-ice role.

But yeah, I bet ownership knew all along and was hoping he would retire. Then they pooped the bed when it came to getting him under contract. There have been times that I have been hard on the Bruins and Chara, but this just doesn't seem like the proper way for him to leave the team - and then go to a divisional rival on top of that. Neely and management F-ed this up.

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'm sad to see him go especially this way, but...

He should not have been top-paring and 21 min/night was obviously too much for him as he was exposed badly during the playoffs. He just had no gas in he tank.

I find it amazing that all these people know exactly what went down, and what types of conversations occurred between Sweeney, Cassidy, and Chara. We don't know what the B's talked to Chara about what his role was, or even IF Boston wanted to keep him in a 3rd pairing/7th D-man role.

But hey, we've all got keyboards, so we're all Warriors, right?

I find it amazing that all these people know exactly what went down, and what types of conversations occurred between Sweeney, Cassidy, and Chara. We don't know what the B's talked to Chara about what his role was, or even IF Boston wanted to keep him in a 3rd pairing/7th D-man role.

But hey, we've all got keyboards, so we're all Warriors, right?
- revdean

No one knows and You may be right that role was a factor ... but for that money there is no way B's couldn't have found some time for Z on the 3rd pair or even as a 4 for a few minutes a night. The guy still brings a level of intimidation that is very hard to replicate.

Somebody said it above - you can have your cake and eat it too. Keep Chara at league minimum on a one year term. Reduce his icetime and put him on the 3rd pair and PK. Use him to mentor the young up and coming kids - like an assistant coach of sorts. Keep him in the organization. Even if he gets pushed down the depth chart by outstanding play from younger players, the injury bug is always around, especially with Covid. Having Chara as a 7th or 8th depth d-man is a lot better than what some teams have... *cough* *Luke Schenn* *cough*

The only way this makes any sense at all is if Chara wanted more icetime than he would get in Boston. He does have a competitor's heart and doesn't strike me as the type who would relish a greatly-reduced on-ice role.

But yeah, I bet ownership knew all along and was hoping he would retire. Then they pooped the bed when it came to getting him under contract. There have been times that I have been hard on the Bruins and Chara, but this just doesn't seem like the proper way for him to leave the team - and then go to a divisional rival on top of that. Neely and management F-ed this up.
- GalacticStone

How is he supposed to get that ice time with the Caps though? Carlson, Orlov, Dillon, and Shultz will probably see the most ice time. I can see him replacing Schultz easily though. Then there is Siegs and TVR. If anything, there are bigger question marks with Clifton, Lauzon and Moore.

Just seems like Sweeney was moving on.

The Chara cross check to Marchand’s face will be bitter sweet.

Most here have same problem I do. Chara at that salary is best option by far. No one is saying he is the Chara of 2011, but as a 3rd pair guy he is solid and he still has that presence . Sweeney should have traded his great free agent signing John Moore who he is paying close to 3 mil a year for. Then you still get to play Zboril or Vaak a bit.
Lauzon is going to be a good physical shut down type dman. Neely and Sweeney are counting on Miller staying healthy and taking up the slack for Chara physically . I think they might have a problem with the bigger ,tougher teams in their division. Up front its either going to be Ritchie or Fredric as their toughness don't see them playing both.
With Chara and Miller you can get by. With Chara gone there is a problem. His rep alone would have made a difference. And obviously he can play a more limited role with no problem. Don't believe Bruins made him a serious contract offer, doesn't make sense. He knows his playing time is going to be limited with the Caps and he signed cheap. Sounds like Sweeney really didn't make him feel wanted. He should still be a Bruin ESPECIALLY for that price.

With Chara leaving this team just got really soft.

No one knows and You may be right that role was a factor ... but for that money there is no way B's couldn't have found some time for Z on the 3rd pair or even as a 4 for a few minutes a night. The guy still brings a level of intimidation that is very hard to replicate.
- dozerD10

Maybe he does not want 3rd-pairing minutes and was promised more on Washington.

It's all guess-work right now.

Maybe he does not want 3rd-pairing minutes and was promised more on Washington.

It's all guess-work right now.
- Nasty_Duck

All but guaranteed he is at least 2nd pairing playing 15-20 minutes a night in Washington. Maybe he left the Bruins cause all of their players are injured to start the season and feels this is his last season and thinks the Caps have a legitimate shot at the Cup

Wow this thread is full of salty misinformation

Word is out the Boston offered 1.4m and told Chara he’d be a 6/7 d man and might sit back to backs. Chara left for more ice time. It’s 100% on Chara. Let’s hear more about how Boston could have had their cake and eaten it or how they mismanaged this situation. Sweeney was up front about everything, told Chara the role he had in mind and offered a more than fair contract. Stop stirring up drama just because you decided 5 years ago you hate Sweeney. It’s so annoying watching a team finish near the top every year only to hear the “fans “ cry about how it’s the most mismanaged team in the league

Wow this thread is full of salty misinformation

Word is out the Boston offered 1.4m and told Chara he’d be a 6/7 d man and might sit back to backs. Chara left for more ice time. It’s 100% on Chara. Let’s hear more about how Boston could have had their cake and eaten it or how they mismanaged this situation. Sweeney was up front about everything, told Chara the role he had in mind and offered a more than fair contract. Stop stirring up drama just because you decided 5 years ago you hate Sweeney. It’s so annoying watching a team finish near the top every year only to hear the “fans “ cry about how it’s the most mismanaged team in the league
- Shaundre93

Sweeny is in full spin mode. Abysmal off season for the Bs.

All but guaranteed he is at least 2nd pairing playing 15-20 minutes a night in Washington.
- BluesDroogie

No it's not.

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


- gergeswillems

No kidding same here when he was playing for the Blackhawks

No it's not.
- Blackstrom2

A gentleman’s bet?

Wow this thread is full of salty misinformation

Word is out the Boston offered 1.4m and told Chara he’d be a 6/7 d man and might sit back to backs. Chara left for more ice time. It’s 100% on Chara. Let’s hear more about how Boston could have had their cake and eaten it or how they mismanaged this situation. Sweeney was up front about everything, told Chara the role he had in mind and offered a more than fair contract. Stop stirring up drama just because you decided 5 years ago you hate Sweeney. It’s so annoying watching a team finish near the top every year only to hear the “fans “ cry about how it’s the most mismanaged team in the league
- Shaundre93

This is more along the lines that I thought. Chara would’ve stayed if he was given ample ice time. He still is competitive and wants more time. Bruins want their younger kids to mature and find out what they actually have. It’s like Jagr and Chelios They can still play but to the detriment of the young kids maturation

Wow this thread is full of salty misinformation

Word is out the Boston offered 1.4m and told Chara he’d be a 6/7 d man and might sit back to backs. Chara left for more ice time. It’s 100% on Chara. Let’s hear more about how Boston could have had their cake and eaten it or how they mismanaged this situation. Sweeney was up front about everything, told Chara the role he had in mind and offered a more than fair contract. Stop stirring up drama just because you decided 5 years ago you hate Sweeney. It’s so annoying watching a team finish near the top every year only to hear the “fans “ cry about how it’s the most mismanaged team in the league
- Shaundre93

OK I have been following the B's since 1967 and they always have been willing to pay more for a player [laugh,laugh]. Your saying the bruins offered 600k more for a player they planned on playing less. I believe the part about Chara being told his playing time was going to be limited. He was going to be subject to numerous games scratched. That was their plan. They obviously weren't keen on keeping him so why would they offer more than needed. If he accepted 800k from the Caps he wouldn't do that to stay with the B's ?

As far as the playing time aspect my friend that is always determined by effectiveness . The Bruins told him they planned to use him less but if he showed he was more valuable on ice then that changes. The Caps can't guarantee ice time.
If he plays poorly it affects ice time . He probably was a little insulted with being told in a way that the Bruins didn't think he was that valuable. They think the kids make them a better club. For Sweeney's sake that better be true. I mean Zboril is part of that great 3 first rounders he plucked in a row.

Yeah, not buying the new story. There was already a spot open for the young kids to fill (Krug's spot)...could have had extended playing time each in that spot. So basically a two year (nearly) removed Miller (yes, I know right side) who is now well over the wrong side of 30, Zboril (who couldn't beat out lower draft choices for time on the ice (Lauzon, Clifford, etc.), and Vaak (who by every account isn't what they expected) provide a better option than Chara? And Chara expects to have a better chance of ice time on a full Caps team? Not buying it.

If someone wants to explain how this management team of Neely and Sweeney have done anything more than an average job (sorry, but I do expect more)...I'm all ears. I'll start it off by giving credit where do...the contracts signed by stars (namely Pasta and Marchy) have been great.

Wow this thread is full of salty misinformation

Word is out the Boston offered 1.4m and told Chara he’d be a 6/7 d man and might sit back to backs. Chara left for more ice time. It’s 100% on Chara. Let’s hear more about how Boston could have had their cake and eaten it or how they mismanaged this situation. Sweeney was up front about everything, told Chara the role he had in mind and offered a more than fair contract. Stop stirring up drama just because you decided 5 years ago you hate Sweeney. It’s so annoying watching a team finish near the top every year only to hear the “fans “ cry about how it’s the most mismanaged team in the league
- Shaundre93

And is Chara not a major reason they were able to finish atop the standings all these years? Or are we pretending that anyone could step in and replace those hard minutes? all for 1.4 mil

Yeah, not buying the new story. There was already a spot open for the young kids to fill (Krug's spot)...could have had extended playing time each in that spot. So basically a two year (nearly) removed Miller (yes, I know right side) who is now well over the wrong side of 30, Zboril (who couldn't beat out lower draft choices for time on the ice (Lauzon, Clifford, etc.), and Vaak (who by every account isn't what they expected) provide a better option than Chara? And Chara expects to have a better chance of ice time on a full Caps team? Not buying it.

If someone wants to explain how this management team of Neely and Sweeney have done anything more than an average job (sorry, but I do expect more)...I'm all ears. I'll start it off by giving credit where do...the contracts signed by stars (namely Pasta and Marchy) have been great.
- bluemoon737

Anger has started to leave my body and trying to find some sense of logic.

Of course Sweeney is throwing Chara under the bus all over the media. I think the whole thing stinks it doesn’t make any sense. To me it’s being presented that Z couldn’t accept a reduced role but goes and signs likely a reduced role in WSH. If that is the case it is really unfortunate Z would be that stubborn. I’m just not buying it.

This whole ordeal just sends a bad vibe through the locker room. The vets must be asking themselves are we in it to win it? Cause losing your captain and leader and protector really, seems otherwise.

Apparently, according to Friedman, there was a Zoom call, and:

"Chara notes that the Bruins advised him that if he’d returned his role would be limited and he would become “more of a reserve player.” That wasn’t something he wanted."

Soooo yeah, they were talking, and Chara could have come back.

Apparently, according to Friedman, there was a Zoom call, and:

"Chara notes that the Bruins advised him that if he’d returned his role would be limited and he would become “more of a reserve player.” That wasn’t something he wanted."

Soooo yeah, they were talking, and Chara could have come back.
- revdean

I just don’t get the drastic demotion to a reserve player. The demotion of some sort was probably needed. I’m not sure why it couldn’t be 15-18 min/game, 3rd pairing. This still allowing the room for replacements to grow.

And is Chara not a major reason they were able to finish atop the standings all these years? Or are we pretending that anyone could step in and replace those hard minutes? all for 1.4 mil
- Tachmo

Did you see Chara in the summer playoffs? He was out of gas.
And you think he will be fine in a condensed season with more back-to-backs?

IF he expected more than 3rd-pairing minutes then it was time for him to go. I'm sure he will set the record straight at some point.

Did you see Chara in the summer playoffs? He was out of gas.
And you think he will be fine in a condensed season with more back-to-backs?

IF he expected more than 3rd-pairing minutes then it was time for him to go. I'm sure he will set the record straight at some point.
- Nasty_Duck

Sorry, but Chara is hardly the reason we lost to Tampa. Tampa (just like the Blues did) out Bruined the Bruins.