Sorry, but Chara is hardly the reason we lost to Tampa. Tampa (just like the Blues did) out Bruined the Bruins.
- bluemoon737

I never said we lost because of Chara.
I said he's no longer a top-4 D-man. He does not have the stamina and this was exposed during the playoffs.

So maybe he thinks he can play more minutes than the Bruins are willing to give. We don't really know, do we?

So maybe he thinks he can play more minutes than the Bruins are willing to give. We don't really know, do we?
- Nasty_Duck

Sweeney and Chara have now both put out statements that yes, that was indeed what happened. The Bruins offered Chara a contract and told him his playing time and roles would be reduced. Chara did not want to take a reduced role, and Washington offered him a bigger role on their time that Boston did.

As a fan, at least it's nice to see both sides publicly talking about why he moved on.

Sweeney and Chara have now both put out statements that yes, that was indeed what happened. The Bruins offered Chara a contract and told him his playing time and roles would be reduced. Chara did not want to take a reduced role, and Washington offered him a bigger role on their time that Boston did.

As a fan, at least it's nice to see both sides publicly talking about why he moved on.
- revdean

It's called spin...

It's called spin...
- bluemoon737

"We had a number of conversations with Sweeney" Chara said. "He made it clear what conditions and what role I would be taking with the organization if I returned. But I just felt that what was presented to me, and what conditions were kind of attached to it, I just felt that I had more to offer".

Sounds like the parting of ways was inevitable.

Who is doing the "spin"?

"We had a number of conversations with Sweeney" Chara said. "He made it clear what conditions and what role I would be taking with the organization if I returned. But I just felt that what was presented to me, and what conditions were kind of attached to it, I just felt that I had more to offer".

Sounds like the parting of ways was inevitable.

Who is doing the "spin"?
- Nasty_Duck

Sweeney, and Chara is going along like a good soldier. Don't buy that all of a sudden this year they have to clear 2 d-man spots for the kids...not buying it. Now perhaps there is a move in the works in which case I could see it...otherwise, no.

Sweeney, and Chara is going along like a good soldier. Don't buy that all of a sudden this year they have to clear 2 d-man spots for the kids...not buying it. Now perhaps there is a move in the works in which case I could see it...otherwise, no.
- bluemoon737

That had nothing to do with clearing spots. Chara is clearly not a top-4 D-man anymore. He needs to be in a reduced role and does not agree.

Why the heck would Chara "go along like a good soldier"?
When have you ever heard Chara not to speak his mind - and be a mouthpiece for a team he no longer plays for?

What have you got that proves otherwise?

That had nothing to do with clearing spots. Chara is clearly not a top-4 D-man anymore. He needs to be in a reduced role and does not agree.

Why the heck would Chara "go along like a good soldier"?
When have you ever heard Chara not to speak his mind - and be a mouthpiece for a team he no longer plays for?

What have you got that proves otherwise?
- Nasty_Duck

Read again the very first statements from Chara and from Sweeney...the very first "raw" ones. Then the crap hit the fan and the follow on statements "clarified" the situation...aka, spin.

And how exactly is this not about clearing another spot? They already had a spot open with Krug leaving (and let's not forget how that unveiled itself...no actual contract offer). By not re-signing Chara they now have 2 spots open to be filled by AHL guys that couldn't make a dent in breaking into the lineup...now all of a sudden they are good enough, no, better than Chara? BS!

Chara is more than capable still of 2nd pairing duty but I would agree that 3rd pairing is probably better with situational in-game adjustments as warranted.

Read again the very first statements from Chara and from Sweeney...the very first "raw" ones. Then the crap hit the fan and the follow on statements "clarified" the situation...aka, spin.

And how exactly is this not about clearing another spot? They already had a spot open with Krug leaving (and let's not forget how that unveiled itself...no actual contract offer). By not re-signing Chara they now have 2 spots open to be filled by AHL guys that couldn't make a dent in breaking into the lineup...now all of a sudden they are good enough, no, better than Chara? BS!

Chara is more than capable still of 2nd pairing duty but I would agree that 3rd pairing is probably better with situational in-game adjustments as warranted.
- bluemoon737

Chara could have remained a Bruin if he accepted a reduced role. He did not want that and has moved on. You can believe Bruin management are villains if you want. But if Chara was capable of more why would management deliberately sabotage the team?

Sounds like some are trying to DEFEND Sweeney . Don't think that is necessary he makes the call with Neely and has to live with it. But really he should just say that.
He didn't want Krug, with all the b.s. early on he never offered a contract. Krug wanted to stay. Fine . With Chara he basically had conditions that he set and Chara didn't agree with. Again fine. But don't make like you were trying to keep him. I have a problem with a few of his actions in the Chara situation . First the statement that he will "ice the best team" he has. Well then sign Chara with the only condition being you have to earn your ice time. Sweeney talks about giving the kids a chance so he is concerned with open slots. Doesn't want Chara taking ice time in certain situations I guess. Even if he is the better option. Well how does it make sense to have John Moore who is signed for 3 MORE YEARS AT 3 TIMES THE MONEY Chara is making. Isn't he going to take ice time from the kids ? And if he is not playing aren't you wasting millions in cap space by not playing him ? Are you seriously going to say even at this stage for one year Chara doesn't have a bigger impact than John Moore !!!
Well Don this is on you so own it. Don't make like you wanted him back. You signed Moore to a 5 year deal , You drafted Zboril in the first round and you want to give them the chance to play important minutes. Simple. Now lets try to get the Bruins to stop getting outbruined . Josh Anderson might have helped .

Sounds like some are trying to DEFEND Sweeney . Don't think that is necessary he makes the call with Neely and has to live with it. But really he should just say that.
He didn't want Krug, with all the b.s. early on he never offered a contract. Krug wanted to stay. Fine . With Chara he basically had conditions that he set and Chara didn't agree with. Again fine. But don't make like you were trying to keep him. I have a problem with a few of his actions in the Chara situation . First the statement that he will "ice the best team" he has. Well then sign Chara with the only condition being you have to earn your ice time. Sweeney talks about giving the kids a chance so he is concerned with open slots. Doesn't want Chara taking ice time in certain situations I guess. Even if he is the better option. Well how does it make sense to have John Moore who is signed for 3 MORE YEARS AT 3 TIMES THE MONEY Chara is making. Isn't he going to take ice time from the kids ? And if he is not playing aren't you wasting millions in cap space by not playing him ? Are you seriously going to say even at this stage for one year Chara doesn't have a bigger impact than John Moore !!!
Well Don this is on you so own it. Don't make like you wanted him back. You signed Moore to a 5 year deal , You drafted Zboril in the first round and you want to give them the chance to play important minutes. Simple. Now lets try to get the Bruins to stop getting outbruined . Josh Anderson might have helped .
- johnnypie

You make it sound like Bruins were the only ones involved in the decision. They wanted Chara in a reduced role and Chara would not sign. Reminds me of all the talk about offer-sheets with people forgetting those players actually have to sign the offer-sheet. It's not a one-way street.

If you feel better making the Bruins management out to be villains then so be it. But you haven't displayed anything to show Chara would have been happy in Boston as a 3rd-pairing guy. And that's what he is now, whether you want to admit it or not.

You make it sound like Bruins were the only ones involved in the decision. They wanted Chara in a reduced role and Chara would not sign. Reminds me of all the talk about offer-sheets with people forgetting those players actually have to sign the offer-sheet. It's not a one-way street.

If you feel better making the Bruins management out to be villains then so be it. But you haven't displayed anything to show Chara would have been happy in Boston as a 3rd-pairing guy. And that's what he is now, whether you want to admit it or not.
- Nasty_Duck

This is nothing like an offer sheet and how do I display what makes Chara happy ?

Lets get it straight I'm not making management out to be villains just saying stop the spin. Own up to your decision. They made it clear that their plan was to not dress him regularly and treat him like a bubble defenseman. They want to dress the kids. Fine. That is the reason he left. Ice time is decided by effectiveness. So even in Washington you can pencil someone in to a spot but it still depends on how you play. He couldn't prove he could still play from the press box. My problem with Sweeney and companies decision is it makes no sense. You are going to give John Moore a chance to take minutes away from your kids and he is signed for another 3 years at almost 3 mil. It doesn't make more sense to have Chara at 800k for one year. If the kids earn their spot on the ice Chara or Moore can't complain. But your going to either give Moore playing time or sit him while paying him 3 times more.
And lets be serious IF your going to ice the best team Chara's presence alone is more valuable then what Moore brings to the table. So its not about making Sweeney a villain its just annoying to hear the spin that he wanted to keep him even offered a contract. Supposedly for 600k more. Stop it.

This is nothing like an offer sheet and how do I display what makes Chara happy ?

It doesn't make more sense to have Chara at 800k for one year. If the kids earn their spot on the ice Chara or Moore can't complain. But your going to either give Moore playing time or sit him while paying him 3 times more.
And lets be serious IF your going to ice the best team Chara's presence alone is more valuable then what Moore brings to the table. So its not about making Sweeney a villain its just annoying to hear the spin that he wanted to keep him even offered a contract. Supposedly for 600k more. Stop it.
- johnnypie

This only makes sense if Chara was willing to play a lesser role. Apparently he was not.
So, how do you make Chara sign on to the team if he refuses to play a lesser role?

And my comparison to offer-sheets was in who has the power. In both cases, it is the player - to sign or not to sign.

The decision to not sign was Chara's.

This only makes sense if Chara was willing to play a lesser role. Apparently he was not.
So, how do you make Chara sign on to the team if he refuses to play a lesser role?

And my comparison to offer-sheets was in who has the power. In both cases, it is the player - to sign or not to sign.

The decision to not sign was Chara's.
- Nasty_Duck

There is a difference between lesser role, 2nd or 3rd pairing (where he belongs), and lesser role, not always in the line up (the joke the Bruins offered). This is Sweeney and Neely trying to prove their first draft wasn't a joke...let's figure out a way to get Zboril in the line up somehow. Sorry, two first round d-men draft picks (Zboril and Vaak) that have been passed up by "lesser" AHLs (Lauzon and Cliiford).

When are Pasternak and Marchand expected to make their debut, any word on that ?

When are Pasternak and Marchand expected to make their debut, any word on that ?
- Xizord

Marchy hasn't been ruled out yet for the start (but I would guess a few games into the season). Haven't heard anything new on Pasta beyond the original mid-Feb.

There is a difference between lesser role, 2nd or 3rd pairing (where he belongs), and lesser role, not always in the line up (the joke the Bruins offered). This is Sweeney and Neely trying to prove their first draft wasn't a joke...let's figure out a way to get Zboril in the line up somehow. Sorry, two first round d-men draft picks (Zboril and Vaak) that have been passed up by "lesser" AHLs (Lauzon and Cliiford).
- bluemoon737

That is partially my point. Chara is not going to accept being treated like a bubble /7th dman, a likely scratch and Sweeney knew that. He knows if he goes by the ice the best team b.s. he is throwing Chara plays. So just like with Krug he didn't want him. So say that. My real problem is he solved nothing by not signing Chara for short money and term. He is counting on Kevin Miller being the player he was figuring that takes up some of the toughness and physical play Chara adds.
So Miller has to play. If Miller isn't the same Lauzon is the only one that can play that style somewhat. You going to just give Zboril and Vaak spots ? No preseason games to test them . Is John Moore your go to veteran with 3 years left . Do you scratch him and his almost 3 mil dollar cap hit for the kids ?

I think Chara dressed at 800k was a much better option. If he can't keep up he has to accept being scratched. Rotate the kids in and out of the lineup and move Moore even if you have to add a sweetner. To late now but that is my opinion. I think a healthy Miller and a reduced Chara would have made for the best team. If that didn't work then you go with the kids. Just don't make out like Chara was asking for anything special. He just didn't want to be treated like a bubble/ 7th dman.

There is a difference between lesser role, 2nd or 3rd pairing (where he belongs), and lesser role, not always in the line up (the joke the Bruins offered). This is Sweeney and Neely trying to prove their first draft wasn't a joke...let's figure out a way to get Zboril in the line up somehow. Sorry, two first round d-men draft picks (Zboril and Vaak) that have been passed up by "lesser" AHLs (Lauzon and Cliiford).
- bluemoon737

I couldn’t agree more. It’s just a mystery why Don couldn’t find a happy medium and sell Z on a lesser role, not a diminished role.
Easily could have gotten more ice time for others on the departure of Krug alone. As shown in the playoffs they weren’t mean enough, the departure of Z to a rival is all wrong.

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

Big Z kept guys accountable. Not saying they don't have others that are capable, but Big Z was THE man. With a minimum 7 games against Chara's clappers, and Wilson running around like a freight train, I'd be concerned.

Even with the losing a step, was he not the ideal role model for younger players? I heard his training and professionalism were among the highest in the league. With Krug already gone, this was a big loss, and money clearly was not a factor.

Big Z kept guys accountable. Not saying they don't have others that are capable, but Big Z was THE man. With a minimum 7 games against Chara's clappers, and Wilson running around like a freight train, I'd be concerned.

Even with the losing a step, was he not the ideal role model for younger players? I heard his training and professionalism were among the highest in the league. With Krug already gone, this was a big loss, and money clearly was not a factor.
- bikeguy99

100%
The whole thing stinks... But what can you do now. Hopefully it works out. I just worry if they stumble this year, it leaves them in pretty awkward position with core.