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Boston Bruins: Disrespecting Zdeno Chara not a good idea

By Sam Minton

TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 25: Brayden Point #21 of the Tampa Bay Lightning is defended by Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins during the first period in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 25, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 25: Brayden Point #21 of the Tampa Bay Lightning is defended by Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins during the first period in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 25, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Zdeno Chara is a pillar of the Boston Bruins but ESPN’s John Buccigross thinks he shouldn’t even be playing.

When it comes to legends in the game, Zdeno Chara is certainly one of them. He will be a first-ballot hall of famer and might even get his number retired by the Boston Bruins. It’s obvious that he deserves everyone’s respect.

Still, some people like to take shots at the giant defensemen. Whether it be on or off the ice.

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Now Chara isn’t beyond criticism. The man is 43 years old and somehow still playing hockey. After playing so long you can’t be the same player that you once were.

But Chara is still a serviceable defensemen. He isn’t on the top defensive pairing just because he is the team captain. Chara is still a quality defensemen.

So ESPN’s John Buccigross had some interesting comments. They were rather surprising seeing that Bucci knows so much about the game.

"“He’s toast. He probably shouldn’t be playing,” Buccigross said. “But I can see with all he’s given to the organization, the Stanley Cup and everything, the last thing they want to do … you wonder if they have these internal discussions. You know, Charlie McAvoy has to really cover for him a lot. Sometimes it’s like one of those father-son games where Sparky’s trying to pick up the slack for dad because there’s too many welding accidents and dad’s back is really stiff and he can’t move like he used to. Charlie’s out there trying to cover and it’s not a great look right now obviously.“I don’t think he’ll come back and play another year, but I also understand their hesitancy to maybe say, listen, we have to go with six young legs here. We’ve got to be able to move. This team (the Lightning) can fly. I get the decision there and why you might not want to do that. I’m cool with that, to let him ride it out.”"

Now has Chara struggled at times on the ice? Yes. Does he look slow? Of course.

But calling Chara toast is just going too far. Boston doesn’t have anyone better to replace him. We all saw how great John Moore played in Game Three.

Chara also had a quality season this past year for the Boston Bruins. He had five goals and nine assists while having a rating of +26. Chara is still a quality asset.

The big man does most of his damage in front of the crease. He is great at clearing the crease and ensuring that his goaltenders get a clear view of the puck. On the offensive side of things, Chara still has one of the best slapshots in the game today.

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So let’s not trash Chara. Everything that he has done in his career proves that he deserves some respect. There’s also still a chance that he adds another Stanley Cup to his resume. He is a legend of the game and deserves to be treated as such.

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