Updates on the Bruins need to improve their defense, while the Kings and Anze Kopitar could be getting closer to a new contract
Latest on the Bruins.
At some point, the Bruins must find a suitable replacement for Zdeno Chara as their top defenseman.
CSNNE.COM: Joe Haggerty believes Zdeno Chara’s decline means the time could be fast approaching when the Boston Bruins “move on” from their long-time captain as their top defenseman, which could be fast-tracked if their season remains as disastrous as their opening week.
TSN (via TODAY’S SLAPSHOT): Darren Dreger recently reported speaking to his sources with the Bruins organization following rumors out of Boston earlier this week claiming the club was gauging Chara’s trade value, claiming there’s no truth to those reports.
Meanwhile, Scott Cullen noted the difficulty the Bruins would have moving Chara’s contract right now. However, if the Bruins decide to trade their captain, Cullen lists the Colorado Avalanche, Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Edmonton Oilers as possible destinations.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins did have an heir apparent for Chara in Dougie Hamilton, but they traded him away this summer amid rumors he was unhappy in Boston and trying to price himself out of the market. Whatever the reason, I still consider the Hamilton trade a disastrous move by the Bruins, shipping out a blueliner with great potential for a return of draft picks that do nothing to address their need for a top-caliber defenseman. Chara’s still a terrific player, but he turns 39 in March and has clearly lost a step. His best years are behind him.
If the Bruins want to trade Chara, however, his no-movement clause is a big stumbling block, as it significantly limits potential destinations. Even if he agreed to go anywhere, his contract (over $6.9 million annually through 2017-18) is as much a hindrance as his movement clause. The Penguins and Blue Jackets simply cannot afford to take on his contract without dumping a lot of salary first. The Avs, Senators and Islanders will want the Bruins to pick up a big part of Chara’s cap hit. Given the bad blood between the Bruins and former GM Peter Chiarelli, I doubt there’s a deal to be made sending Chara to the Oilers, provided he’s willing to accept a trade there.
Kings inching closer to a new contract for Kopitar.
TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Los Angeles Kings are inching closer in contract negotiations with center Anze Kopitar. While they’re not close enough yet to claim a deal is imminent, Dreger says it will be eight years in length. Considering the rough year the Kings have had, they need some positive news. A new contract for Kopitar will help.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Since his sophomore season in 2007-08, Kopitar’s consistently been the Kings’ leading scorer and top forward. He’s been a finalist for the Selke and Lady Byng trophies, and was their leading playoff scorer during their two championship runs. Eight years is the league maximum for re-signing a player, and I’m guessing he gets around $10 million annually.
Obviously the “Ottawa” part of the rumored interest stems from Chara’s days with the organization before Muckler mucked things up (pun intended) by choosing Redden over him when it came time to decide on where to spend the money. While I seriously doubt he’ll ever wind up back in the capital as a player, such a move would certainly beef up their D if he was content to play mentor for guys like Cowen and Borowiewcki and function as a 3/4 and 5/6 pairing (no way he replaces Methot on the first pairing with Karlsson). But that’s all just pipe-dreams conjured up by media types during the early-season “slow” period when it comes to player movement.
No significant player movement until the 15-20 game mark. Rookie crop this year looks strong aside from the two that get all the press
not sure how people can call the Hamilton trade a disaster move by the bruins…it was the only move they had…the bruins had no leverage..and too many ‘experts’ overrate Hamilton’s potential…a player doesn’t want to be on your team there is not much you can do but move on…they got exactly what the value was for him…people assume that these made up internet trade rumors are more then they are…there is more internet gms don’t know then do know…stop speculating…like that Chara is being shopped around…I’d be surprised if this really is happening and I’d be even more surprised if another team would even take him…it’s fluff talk…
Good comments Mark, couldn’t agree with you more. I don’t see the Bruins ever shopping Chara unless he wanted out. Just over a year ago he was a Norris nominee so still is a good player and would have value if shopped, but I think he will play out his contract and retire a Bruin. If the B’s have a bad year it will be obvious choices like Erikson and Kelly who are shopped.
When it happened I had the impression many GMs didn’t even know if he was available. If that is true than a proper market was never set up for Hamilton and a bidding war could of upped the return. I guess as they blindsided the league with the move we will never know if they could of got more.
there was a market set because he was a free agent in the days that followed open to an offer sheet of a first, a second and a third…why would anyone trade a major roster player when they could wait a few days and offer sheet him…unless you were really keen on him…i don’t think hamilton is as good as everyone thinks he is…i think teams were willing to having patience…so the market and timing weren’t in the bruins favor
I read rumor this morning that Chara might try wwe or UFC and retire from nhl.
I heard Chara’s gonna work helping old ladies reach top shelf grocery items.
He would be most popular employee at walmart perhaps? They would have to order him custom size blue vest (which he would pay for).
I heard a fluffer for midget porn?
@bigbear – too much information
Haggerty should just come on here and make his comments because they have about the same amount of validity. Constantly says things about unnamed sources and never backed up. The Seguin and Hamilton trades have set the Bruins back, Especially Tyler considering that PC actually signed him at good value.
Are we going to read Chara rumours every day? It’s not very interesting reading.
Would you prefer a return to the summer of Cody Franson instead? Look, Chara’s a big name and he’s a hot topic in this week’s rumor mill. Don’t worry, the media will find someone else to speculate about soon enough.
Hey Lyle, wondering why you took my comment down about Haggerty its pretty well the same thing Darren Dreger said. No truth to the rumor Chara name being discussed.
Wasn’t me, Caper. We’re having an issue with our anti-spam software. Hopefully this won’t happen to you again.
The talk should be, when are the kings going to make a coach change. And the Lucic trade has been a complete disaster!!!
Disaster for L.A. I would say, 2 first-rounders and 2 prospects for Lucic is still a fair return.
My appogies, misread that to read bad trade for Bruins, but you meant L.A.
Yes Lyle never mind the fact that you constantly have a new rumor page up and provide us with a free form to discuss hockey with little to no interference or moderation and the fact that you are accessible and never hide behind anything you say (Greatest rumor site on the internet if you ask me) just take responsibility for what the hockey writers and rumor mongers are saying and writing and change it please … signed spoiled reader who should have to pay!
*Sarcasm Font*
You mean hockey buzz isn’t the greatest rumour site on the net? My life is shattered….
It could be worse, Lyle could have a McDavid article or 2 or 3 or 4 every day like every other sports site, and I am an Oiler fan.
Amen
Or every other one is about Babcock having to go to the bathroom.
another solid game by duclair that kid has one heck of a shot!
Chara is going nowhere he will retire a Bruin. Boston,s defense is very young they need him to help bring the kids along. If healthy he can still contribute and his wing span makes it tuff for players to get by him. Chara still plays against the other teams top players ask Kessel how playing against the big man feels.
Character to the Penguins is not happening even if they all of a sudden had the cap space. Chara is too old, too slow, and too useless to play in Johnston’s puck possession system. We already have a complete waste of a roster spot and cap dollars in the shell of what used to be Rob Scuderi. There’s absolutely no reason to bring Chara on. If anything the Penguins will go after Dan Hamhuis in Vancouver who is a free agent after this season. The Penguins issue has not been their defense however so even that move is not necessary. It’s 4 games in and we already have injuries to 4 significant forwards and with all the new faces this team has not had a chance to gel. Tonight Adam Clendening is in for Scuderi and they already look much better. Just need to score some goals.
I personally hope a deal could be found to brig Chara back to Ottawa. I think he would do well in helping Jared Cowan and the pressure would be off him to be the top guy cause we have Karlsson … 2nd line pairing with Ceci and 2nd line PP minutes.
Karlsson – Methot
Chara – Ceci
Cowan – Wiercoch
I could get behind that unit.
I don’t think he will go back to ottawa, they let him go in the 1st place because they didnt want to pay him. So why would they wanna pay him now??
That was Muckler – and he ultimately lost his job for such asinine “decisions.”
I actually like the idea of Chara coming back to the sens…those d parings that jjb posted are pretty good…heaven knows that our d needs a little umpf. I heard that Chara decided not to sign because he was pissed that muckler traded Hossa (his buddy), not because he wasn’t offering him top dollar.
the thing is…what would sens have to give up for him?
The Islanders are not a team that trades for bad contracts. I don’t see them as a destination for Chara
Why does McDavid look so shell shocked? Has this kid had the puck on his stick longer then 5 secs? Eichel seems to fit right in over there in Buffalo, Stamkos to Toronto !!!
And I am gone !
Saw him play recently. He was and will be okay.
Ya Ya, I know the kid is a gem. Just trying to stir the pot a little I have been off the site for a few months.
Go Yankees !!
At 39 years old with term still remaining, & a hefty contract, the chance of moving Chara are 0% to 5%, IMHO. The risks far outweigh the return.
Hopefully, Chara stays right where he is, thank you. He had a solid game last night – was a plus two with two primary assists, while playing almost twenty five minutes against a speedy Avalanche team. If he has, indeed, overcome his early injury problems, me thinks Big Z will surprise a lot of the TV and Online “Talking Heads”.
So true, +1 that. Remember as well, he didn’t have much of a training camp/exhibition season to cultivate his timing. Although his pivots aren’t on-form as yet, it’s evident that opposing forwards still choose to attack the other side. The Big Guy remains an imposing adversary!
Big Z played another good game last night. If they manage his ice time as best as possible and try to keep him somewhat fresh he will have a solid season. Last night was 1 game for the team but at least its a step in the right direction. Big game in the desert followed by a home game against Philly. Lets see how it looks after that before we rush to judgement.
Hey I was ahead of the curve yesterday with my silly Chara to Ottawa comment. I actually thought it was a silly idea but hey it’s growing traction elsewhere. Haha
You must have started something. I mean clearly the media is looking at what you are saying to get a clue as to what to report.
Don’t fool yourself, people have been discussing Chara to the sens since the summer or even last year.
It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. I’m sure melnyk would want money off the contract and there are serious issues whether he’d even be able to play by year three of his contract. The sens would have the pieces to make a deal work but is it really worth it? Arguable.
Almost like my Stamkos to Toronto, I believe I brought taht up last summer and it’s gained traction and hype 😛
I wish My Dan Boyle to anywhere trade would pick up some steam!
Everything Dan Boyle is out of steam, retiring a Ranger I suspect.
That hasn’t really gotten any traction. It’s people speculating. I don’t think there’s a shadow of a chance Toronto pitches a deal to Tampa. They might take a run at him if he hits the UFA but not a trade. Grab a rag you’re leaving stains on your pants.
You guys do realize that this comment was a joke. Hence the Haha at the end.
Broken hip, chill out dude.
what would Ott give up for a Chara…. picks/players
They’d give Boston SOME cap relief (they’d have to retain SOME of that money no matter where he’s traded if it comes to that same as Toronto did with Kessel) plus maybe someone like Claesson and a 2nd rounder. Don’t forget, all TO got for a much younger Kessel was Kasperi Kapanen, Nick Spaling, Scott Harrington and a 2016 3rd round pick previously acquired from New Jersey.
That’s really hard to say. Depends how many bidders there are and who he would move his NMC for.
On the high end you might see the sens parting with a 1st round pick, wiercioch and a guy like pumpel.
Low end maybe a deal like what we saw for boychuck or like 2nd rounder and pumpel.
But that’s speculation on value and I don’t think we see any deals between Boston and Ottawa.
Chara used to be a great player, but has since lost a step. While I think he’s still a terrific player, he’s not the dominant force he once was. I hope that clears up the confusion for you. And I’m not the one suggesting he be traded, Grant, take that up with the originator of the rumor.
If you’ve been following the reports of the past week, Grant, then you know that it is a rumor as reported by CSNNE.com’s Joe Haggerty, who cited sources claiming the Bruins were gauging Chara’s trade value, along with Brad Marchand. So take it up with him.