• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • NFL
  • NHL
  • MLB
  • NBA
  • Pro Wrestling
  • MMA
Neely, Bruins Better Increase Their Enthusiasm For Re-Signing Chara

Neely, Bruins Better Increase Their Enthusiasm For Re-Signing Chara

December 21, 2020
Andrei Vasilevskiy Favorite To Win The 2020-21 Vezina Trophy

Andrei Vasilevskiy Favorite To Win The 2020-21 Vezina Trophy

January 15, 2021
In Goff We Trust: Rams Ready for Green Bay

In Goff We Trust: Rams Ready for Green Bay

January 15, 2021
ADVERTISEMENT
AL Notes: LeMahieu Deal Helps Yankees With Luxury Tax Issues

AL Notes: LeMahieu Deal Helps Yankees With Luxury Tax Issues

January 15, 2021
Die-Hard Ravens Fan Jason Song Predicts Baltimore Upset Over Buffalo

Die-Hard Ravens Fan Jason Song Predicts Baltimore Upset Over Buffalo

January 15, 2021

Chiefs vs Browns Preview: Three Keys To Victory

January 15, 2021
Jim Brown

Why Hall-of-Famer Jim Brown Has No Equal When it Comes to Respect From His Peers

January 15, 2021
Opening Night Win Affirms Bruins Have To Extend Tuukka Rask’s Contract

Opening Night Win Affirms Bruins Have To Extend Tuukka Rask’s Contract

January 15, 2021
2021 Raiders Draft Prospect: LB Zaven Collins

2021 Raiders Mock Draft 1.0: Bradley Heavy

January 15, 2021

2021 Chiefs Draft Prospect: Nick Bolton

January 15, 2021
Fitting the Bills: Buffalo’s Defense Might Have the Answer for the Ravens High-Octane Offense

Fitting the Bills: Buffalo’s Defense Might Have the Answer for the Ravens High-Octane Offense

January 15, 2021
NFL

The NFL’s 500 Club Hasn’t Been Very Fortunate

January 14, 2021
Strong Third Period Powers Flyers To Opening-Night Win

Strong Third Period Powers Flyers To Opening-Night Win

January 14, 2021
  • Apply to Write
  • Contact Us
  • FullPressRadio.com
  • SHOP FPC
  • FullPressHockey.com
  • FullPressWrestling.com


Saturday, January 16, 2021
Full Press Coverage
  • Latest
    • Full Press Radio Network
    • Apply to Write
    • Feedback
    • Privacy Policy
  • NFL
    • AFC
      • Baltimore Ravens
      • Buffalo Bills
      • Cincinnati Bengals
      • Cleveland Browns
      • Denver Broncos
      • Houston Texans
      • Indianapolis Colts
      • Jacksonville Jaguars
      • Kansas City Chiefs
      • Las Vegas Raiders
      • Los Angeles Chargers
      • Miami Dolphins
      • New England Patriots
      • New York Jets
      • Pittsburgh Steelers
      • Tennessee Titans
    • NFC
      • Arizona Cardinals
      • Atlanta Falcons
      • Carolina Panthers
      • Chicago Bears
      • Dallas Cowboys
      • Detroit Lions
      • Green Bay Packers
      • Los Angeles Rams
      • Minnesota Vikings
      • New Orleans Saints
      • New York Giants
      • Philadelphia Eagles
      • San Francisco 49ers
      • Seattle Seahawks
      • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
      • Washington Football Club
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • NHL
  • Fantasy Sports
  • Pro Wrestling
  • Other Sports
    • College Sports
    • MMA
    • XFL
    • Futbol
    • AAF
  • Podcasts
    • FPC Radio LIVE
    • Dylan and Ross Save Sports
    • The Eye Test for Two
    • Big Bad Bruins Podcast
    • Black Tuesday
    • Get Off My Lawn
    • The Sap and Kat Show
    • Talkamania
    • Crossbody of Work
    • The Salvaggio and Cratty Sports Podcast
    • All Shows
No Result
View All Result
Full Press Coverage
No Result
View All Result
Home NHL Atlantic Division Boston Bruins

Neely, Bruins Better Increase Their Enthusiasm For Re-Signing Chara

Matt Kalman by Matt Kalman
December 21, 2020
in Boston Bruins, NHL, NHL Featured, Trending
Reading Time: 3min read
0
Neely, Bruins Better Increase Their Enthusiasm For Re-Signing Chara
1.5k
SHARES
3.3k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

One of the stranger Boston Bruins-related storylines of this coronavirus-pandemic year has been the plight of captain Zdeno Chara who remains, one day after the NHL and NHLPA announced their plan to return to play, unsigned as an unrestricted free agent.

Listening to Bruins president Cam Neely address the media Monday for the first time since the Jan. 13 NHL start date was established, one could easily get the feeling the Bruins aren’t gung-ho to bring back the 43-year-old.

More FromFPC

Andrei Vasilevskiy Favorite To Win The 2020-21 Vezina Trophy

Andrei Vasilevskiy Favorite To Win The 2020-21 Vezina Trophy

January 15, 2021

AL Notes: LeMahieu Deal Helps Yankees With Luxury Tax Issues

January 15, 2021

Opening Night Win Affirms Bruins Have To Extend Tuukka Rask’s Contract

January 15, 2021

Strong Third Period Powers Flyers To Opening-Night Win

January 14, 2021

“For me, it’s tough to say,” Neely replied to a question about what Chara’s role would be with Boston if he re-signs. “You know we do want to take a look at some of these young left-shot Ds that we have in our system, see if they can step up or if there’s time for them to step up, see where they’re at in their development. We certainly respect Zdeno and everything he’s done for the organization and what he’s accomplished as a player and what he’s done both on and off the ice here in Boston. So it’s really just a matter of what his desire is and how the coaching staff and we feel what our lineup should look like and could look like depending on the development of some of these young guys.”

Later when asked if there’s a roster spot for Chara considering all the defensemen that are signed and the Bruins’ close brush with the salary-cap ceiling, Neely alluded to the idea that any Chara role with the Bruins would be limited both because of the club’s desire to see how the younger players have grown and the fact that there are going to be about 116 days to play 56 games. That’s a lot of back-to-backs.

Obviously, the following arguments become naught if Chara and the Bruins agree to another one-year deal (he played for just $2 million in salary and $1.75 million in bonuses last season) in the days ahead. But the Bruins clearly need a history lesson in order to take bringing Chara back more seriously.

First, the shortened, compact season is an even bigger reason to re-sign Chara than it is to let him walk. Obviously, he’d have to agree to a somewhat curtailed role in terms of 5­-on-5 ice time and even taking half of some of those back-to-backs off to preserve his legs for the long haul. But he could still play 48-50 games and serve as a mentor and extra coach when he’s not in the lineup.

Getting off to a fast start will be of the utmost importance playing in such a crammed schedule with some of the powers of the NHL all squeezed into the new East Division. The Bruins know they’re going to be missing David Pastrnak and might be without Brad Marchand, or have a lesser version of Marchand, at the start of this season. Do they really want to voluntarily open a gaping hole in their defense corps and penalty kill?

There is no reason to believe that any of Jeremy Lauzon, Urho Vaakanainen, Jakub Zboril, or first-year pro Jack Ahcan is ready to take on that much responsibility, even if it’s shared with the likes of Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Matt Grzelcyk, and John Moore. Heck, we don’t even really know what Connor Clifton has in store for 2021.

That leads to the second part of the history lesson. Seemingly every time the Bruins have started a season by saying “let’s see what the kids can do before we turn to a veteran” they wind up finding out that Anders Bjork or Reilly Smith or even, on the back end, a younger Torey Krug or Grzelcyk, isn’t ready for the big time. The trade deadline then becomes a desperation heave from general manager Don Sweeney to address a hole he should’ve filled in the offseason. The Bruins wind up surrendering a first-round pick. It’s as predictable as the tides.

Here the Bruins don’t have to worry about bringing in the player to fill the hole unless Neely’s nod to wanting to “explore the back end” in terms of improvement means he’s hot for the likes of Sami Vatanen or Ron Hainsey on the free-agent market. Yawn.

In this case, the play is easy. Assuming he’s amenable to it — and considering the number of teams with little cap space or a bigger role to offer a 43-year-old stay-at-home defenseman, it’s likely he’s not going to get a better deal elsewhere — Chara should be retained for the same contract he signed last season. Or the Bruins will be increasing the odds that their shortened season will turn into a lost season.

The post Neely, Bruins Better Increase Their Enthusiasm For Re-Signing Chara appeared first on Full Press Hockey.

Tags: 2020-21 SeasonBruinsCam NeelyZdeno Chara
Share611Tweet382
Previous Post

Key Dates For Upcoming NHL Season

Next Post

NFL Week 15 Monday Odds: Steelers Big Favorites to End Two-Game Slide

Matt Kalman

Matt Kalman

Next Post
NFL Week 15 Monday Odds: Steelers Big Favorites to End Two-Game Slide

NFL Week 15 Monday Odds: Steelers Big Favorites to End Two-Game Slide

Three Cleveland Browns Selected to Pro Bowl

Three Cleveland Browns Selected to Pro Bowl

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Chicago Bears vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Chicago Bears: Predictions For Week 6 Matchup against Carolina Panthers

October 14, 2020
Love

Cavs-Warriors Discussed Kevin Love Trade

November 14, 2020
Chicago Bears vs Los Angeles Rams

Chicago Bears: Predictions For Week 7 Matchup Vs. Los Angeles Rams

October 21, 2020
Nov 17, 2018; Athens, GA, USA; Massachusetts Minutemen wide receiver Andy Isabella (5) runs past Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Christopher Smith (29) to score a touchdown after catching a pass during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings Mock Draft 3.0: Post-Combine Edition

8
Chicago White Sox: MLB’s Most Overrated Team Going Into 2020

Chicago White Sox: MLB’s Most Overrated Team Going Into 2020

7
LeBron

LeBron, not Michael, is the Greatest of All Time

5
AL Notes: LeMahieu Deal Helps Yankees With Luxury Tax Issues

AL Notes: LeMahieu Deal Helps Yankees With Luxury Tax Issues

January 15, 2021
Die-Hard Ravens Fan Jason Song Predicts Baltimore Upset Over Buffalo

Die-Hard Ravens Fan Jason Song Predicts Baltimore Upset Over Buffalo

January 15, 2021

Chiefs vs Browns Preview: Three Keys To Victory

January 15, 2021

A Twitter List by iglen31

FPC Podcasts

  • Ep 166: Divisional Round
    by Full Press Coverage on January 16, 2021 at 4:21 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV9495604360.mp3
  • Ep.169: Tequila and Triscuits
    by Full Press Coverage on January 16, 2021 at 3:13 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV1539594975.mp3
  • Ep #84: Chiefs vs Browns Preview w/ Nick Swanson
    by Full Press Coverage on January 15, 2021 at 4:01 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV2474736703.mp3
  • Episode 2: Wild Card recap/ Divisional round preview
    by Full Press Coverage on January 15, 2021 at 2:24 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/42951902/fps_2_thu_1137_edited.mp3
  • Vino, NFL Playoffs Key Stories and Predictions, CFP Championship game, Wandele Robinson
    by Full Press Coverage on January 15, 2021 at 12:18 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/42950573/ep_11_fpr.mp3
  • Episode 29: An EmBEARassing Press Conference, Rams @ Packers Preview with Alexis Kraft of Downtown Rams
    by Full Press Coverage on January 15, 2021 at 3:41 am

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV7842310093.mp3
  • Ep.55: Inside the Mississippi Dynasty
    by Full Press Coverage on January 14, 2021 at 9:21 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV3590480455.mp3
  • Ep. 54: Inside the Georgia Thrashers
    by Full Press Coverage on January 14, 2021 at 9:20 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV4200105006.mp3
  • Ep. 168: Behind Closed Doors
    by Full Press Coverage on January 14, 2021 at 6:56 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV1384662148.mp3
  • Ep 57: 2020 Divisional Round Preview
    by Full Press Coverage on January 14, 2021 at 12:48 pm

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/G481GD/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADV2793983073.mp3

  • AEW Dynamite Recap, Grades, and Opinion: January 13th, 2021
    by Evan Gomes on January 14, 2021 at 4:14 am

    AEW Dynamite Results: January 13, 2021 A.K.A. The One Where It’s New Year’s Smash Night Two […]

  • NXT Results, Grades & Opinion: January 13, 2021
    by Evan Gomes on January 14, 2021 at 3:24 am

    NXT Results: January 13, 2021 A.K.A. The One With The Rascalz Debut Results: Candice LeRae def. […]

  • WWE Raw Results, Grades & Opinion: January 11, 2021
    by Evan Gomes on January 12, 2021 at 4:55 am

    WWE Raw Results: January 11, 2021 A.K.A. The One Where Hunter Shows Up Results: Lacey Evans def. […]

  • WWE Champion Drew McIntyre Tests Positive for COVID-19
    by Evan Gomes on January 12, 2021 at 12:47 am

    WWE announced on Monday that current WWE Champion Drew McIntyre tested positive for COVID-19. The […]

  • Crossbody of Work Episode 45: Chavo Guerrero
    by Evan Gomes on January 9, 2021 at 3:05 pm

    Welcome to Crossbody of Work, a show where we break down a wrestler’s career through five of […]

More Wrestling News

  • Andrei Vasilevskiy Favorite To Win The 2020-21 Vezina Trophy
    by Jim Biringer on January 15, 2021 at 9:33 pm

    The NHL season is finally here and Andrei Vasilevskiy is the early favorite to take home the Vezina […]

  • Devils Show Promise In Opening Night Loss
    by Jim Biringer on January 15, 2021 at 9:25 pm

    The 2020-21 New Jersey Devils have begun their season and despite a good effort early indications […]

  • Opening Night Win Affirms Bruins Have To Extend Tuukka Rask’s Contract
    by Matt Kalman on January 15, 2021 at 2:00 pm

    The Boston Bruins have to sign Tuukka Rask to a contract extension and keep him from becoming an […]

  • New York Islanders Blank Rangers 4-0 In NHL Opener
    by Curtis Rush on January 15, 2021 at 5:16 am

    The New York Islanders made an impressive start to the NHL season. We break down how they blanked […]

  • Key Takeaways from the Penguins Season Opener
    by Luke Talotta on January 14, 2021 at 10:34 pm

    The much anticipated start to the 2021 NHL season was met with great disappointment for Penguins […]

More Hockey News

  • Ep 51: Bergeron Dons The "C", Picking Up the Chara/Krug Slack; Season Expectations
    by Full Press Coverage on January 13, 2021 at 10:20 pm

    Mike Cratty of the Sal and Cratty Show and BlackNGoldHockey.com joins Ian […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/25157918/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2021-01-13%2F4542c465ec7a3234f146bea647ede57e.m4a
  • Ep 50: Mr. Chara Goes to Washinton
    by Full Press Coverage on December 31, 2020 at 9:14 pm

    Ian and Chris react to the Capitals signing of Bruins longtime captain, […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/24623669/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-12-31%2F26d5b85c06ec2255c2f6cfc78b24cf94.m4a
  • Ep 49: Bruins New Division; Chara's Future in Boston
    by Full Press Coverage on December 23, 2020 at 7:21 pm

    Ian and Chris return to discuss the NHL's 56-game season, the Bruins new […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/24356084/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-12-23%2F5755949a0115f50df8582cc32916323a.m4a
  • Ep 48: Jake DeBrusk Signs; Reverse Retro Jerseys; Thanksgiving Food Draft
    by Full Press Coverage on November 26, 2020 at 5:54 pm

    On this Thanksgiving episode of the Big Bad Bruins Podcast, Ian and Chris […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/23142833/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-11-26%2F52d6fc857b1cd37d19b4fe24752398f6.m4a
  • Ep 47: Recapping the Bruins Offseason to this Point
    by Full Press Coverage on October 21, 2020 at 6:34 pm

    Ian and Chris the free agent moves the Bruins have and haven't made as […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/21440275/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-11-26%2F5e55ff65a935458b843f84f596268c6e.m4a
  • Ep 46: NHL Free Agency Wishlist; Krug and Chara's Future; Rask to Stay
    by Full Press Coverage on October 9, 2020 at 8:21 pm

    Ian and Chris recap the Bruins draft and take a look ahead to the start of […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/20863092/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-11-26%2F02c7a7b0f8c9979d30155fe48c48dfba.m4a
  • Ep 40: Former Bruin Jay Miller Joins the Show
    by Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2020 at 5:39 pm

    Former Bruin, Jay Miller, joins Ian and Chris to talk Bruins, UNH, […]

    Your browser does not support the audio element. But you can check this for the original link: https://anchor.fm/s/cc094d0/podcast/play/19652154/sponsor/amsj67/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2020-11-26%2F78efb8b40427b178fea3e054267f01b4.m4a
Full Press Coverage

© 2020 Full Press Coverage

Navigate Site

  • Staff Portal
  • Apply to Write
  • Contact Us
  • Have a news tip?
  • Privacy Policy
  • FPC Radio Network
  • NFL
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • FullPressHockey.com

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest
    • Full Press Radio Network
    • Apply to Write
    • Feedback
    • Privacy Policy
  • NFL
    • AFC
      • Baltimore Ravens
      • Buffalo Bills
      • Cincinnati Bengals
      • Cleveland Browns
      • Denver Broncos
      • Houston Texans
      • Indianapolis Colts
      • Jacksonville Jaguars
      • Kansas City Chiefs
      • Las Vegas Raiders
      • Los Angeles Chargers
      • Miami Dolphins
      • New England Patriots
      • New York Jets
      • Pittsburgh Steelers
      • Tennessee Titans
    • NFC
      • Arizona Cardinals
      • Atlanta Falcons
      • Carolina Panthers
      • Chicago Bears
      • Dallas Cowboys
      • Detroit Lions
      • Green Bay Packers
      • Los Angeles Rams
      • Minnesota Vikings
      • New Orleans Saints
      • New York Giants
      • Philadelphia Eagles
      • San Francisco 49ers
      • Seattle Seahawks
      • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
      • Washington Football Club
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • NHL
  • Fantasy Sports
  • Pro Wrestling
  • Other Sports
    • College Sports
    • MMA
    • XFL
    • Futbol
    • AAF
  • Podcasts
    • FPC Radio LIVE
    • Dylan and Ross Save Sports
    • The Eye Test for Two
    • Big Bad Bruins Podcast
    • Black Tuesday
    • Get Off My Lawn
    • The Sap and Kat Show
    • Talkamania
    • Crossbody of Work
    • The Salvaggio and Cratty Sports Podcast
    • All Shows

© 2020 Full Press Coverage