FACING CHARA A TALL ORDER FOR McDAVID
Oilers star relishes the challenge of taking on Bruins’ defensive giant
Hockey’s Friendly Giant is twice as old as Connor McDavid but when asked how he copes with a moving train when he isn’t as quick as he used to be, Zdeno Chara doesn’t sound quite so friendly.
“How do you know I’m not as fast? The game is faster so how can I get slower?” said the six-foot-nine, 250-pound Chara, looking down, way down on the reporter who is shrinking noticeably from the lead-with-his-chin question he’s just asked.
OK, let’s start over, shall we? So Z, what’s so tough for a defenceman who goes against McDavid?
His speed, something else? “You are asking me questions you already know. Connor is the best player in the league so for sure he’s unique, very special. At 16 he could have played in the NHL, but he couldn’t because of the rules and legal stuff, but he would have had 80 points,” said Chara.
“Did he need 100 games to show us how good he was? No, first game he was very much noticeable.
“You can name any aspect, skating-wise, skill-wise, thinkwise, ability to make plays, shoot, score, the way he sees the ice. He’s one of an era like Wayne (Gretzky) or Sid (Sidney Crosby).”
And the 41-year-old Bruins captain, a freak of nature at his size and ability to not only play but totally disregard his birth certificate, has played against Gretzky and Crosby, also Mario Lemieux.
Now, it’s McDavid, his Edmonton Oilers counterpart, all of 21. Chara and partner Charlie McAvoy, who could probably be bench-pressed 50 times by Z, will have an interesting battle Thursday.
This is different from McDavid going against, say, Los Angeles’s Drew Doughty.
This is the future Hall of Famer Chara, who’ll likely have the four-time Selke winner Patrice Bergeron on the ice against McDavid and his linemates Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Ty Rattie, as well.
McDavid doesn’t usually like to talk about his on-ice battles, but Chara is different.
When told Chara thought McDavid could have starred in the NHL at 16, McDavid’s eyes lit up.
“That’s pretty special. It means a lot, coming from him. He’s one of the world’s best back there, and has been for a long time,” said McDavid, who knows it’s like trying to break out of prison when Chara puts the clamps on you in the corners.
“He’s definitely real hard to play against. He’s definitely not slowing down at all. He’s that true pro in our game ... a guy who comes to play and can play forever.”
McDavid was only 10 months old when Chara saw his first NHL action on Nov. 19, 1997 for New York Islanders with five-footfour inch TV commentator Darren Pang playfully standing on a box to interview Chara.
McDavid’s speed is always his ace in the hole against D-men, but Chara is a whole different kettle of fish. He’s an octopus or a family of tentacles.
“Well, you’ve got to start preparing whatever you’re going to do a lot sooner, because he has that real long stick,” said McDavid. “It doesn’t give you any time, you get the puck and he’s right on you, with that long reach. And if he gets you in those mitts of his, it’s not looking very good for me.
“I’m sure he’s seen it all. There’s not much you’re going to trick him with. All I can do is use my speed to keep him guessing. You just try to play around him, not through him. He’s the biggest to ever play and if he gets you in his sights, in his mitts, it’s not fun.”
Chara has laid the body on McDavid a few times in Boston, not maliciously but forcefully, which has brought in the cavalry.
“Yeah, Patty (Maroon) and Kass (Zack Kassian) have fought him. Not sure how guys do that, but good on them. Takes a lot of guts,” said McDavid, well aware Chara tends to fold his fistic opponents as if they are an accordion, dropping them to the ice.
So about trying to keep up at 41, going against a stable of 20-year-olds?
“I don’t compare ages. I’ve been playing with sons of players I either played with or against. It doesn’t bother me or them,” said Chara.
“I mean I’m aware of my age. but I don’t need reminding every pre-game. I’m proud I can still play and it is challenging and motivating to play against young, skilled players.”
And nobody is as fast or as skilled at 21 as McDavid.
“I like playing against the top lines. Yeah, there’s pride, I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t pride there,” said Chara. “Not many guys can play against Connor and if you do, it’s a privilege.
“It’s the same as playing against Wayne or Mario, Sid or Ovie. It’s excitement. This is what you train for, going against the best in the world. Ask any kid if he’d like to be in my shoes.”