Towering veteran Zdeno Chara still has plenty of tangible and intangible stock to offer the Boston Bruins. He just does not have quite as much as he once did and will not have that much at any time going forward.
If the outcome of the 2013-14 NHL season told the Bruins anything, it is that the time for compromise is approaching. The question for 2014-15 is how soon and to what extent they should sacrifice some of the intangible investment to preserve Chara’s prowess.
That prowess is still available in copious quantities, for the most part.
With 72 opposing goals over 1,898 minutes and 19 seconds of cumulative ice time, Chara retained a 2.28 goals-against average in the last regular season. A few layers higher than the team average of 2.08, but hardly egregious.
He achieved that while tackling the task of anchoring a Boston blue-line brigade that lost substantial experience to season-ending injuries. Partnering with Dougie Hamilton, he helped a stable of stand-ins bring stability for much of the ride.
Adding to the decibels that speak to Chara’s resolv ...
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Article written by Al Daniel