Chara’s cash pays plenty
Benefits aplenty from deal
Don Sweeney satisfied the wish list of two Bruins defensemen on Wednesday when he signed team captain Zdeno Chara to a oneyear extension.
The first and most obvious was Chara, who got a down payment — $5 million, plus $1.75 million in additional performance based incentives — on his 21st NHL season and 13th in black and gold.
“Yes I’m happy and like I said, we are happy and I think it works for both sides,” said the 41-year-old, the league’s second-oldest active player and longestserving captain. “For me, it was very important that I continue to play and stayed in Boston.
“I believe in this team, it’s very exciting to be a part of this team. I think this team has a chance and that’s all you can ask for. The rest is up to us to do on the ice. So, yeah, that was my priority, to stay in Boston and be a Boston Bruin.”
The other was rookie Charlie McAvoy. McAvoy and Chara comprised the Bruins’ first unit for most of the season until McAvoy’s March 3 knee injury, and their relationship has been mutually beneficial. Chara facilitated McAvoy’s assimilation into the NHL lifestyle. Chara fed off McAvoy’s youthful enthusiasm and energy.
“I’ve been so fortunate and so blessed to play with that guy,” said McAvoy. “He has taught me so much on and off the ice and having him back for another year . . . obviously you don’t want to look too far ahead. I feel very fortunate to play with him for another year.
“We read off each other so well and I’m happy for him,” said the BU product. “He just continues to deny any sort of logic when it comes to hockey. I still have a lot to learn from him and I’m excited to have him back.”
Sweeney also satisfied the wish list of coach Bruce Cassidy, who, like his predecessor Claude Julien, relied on Chara to bring along the Bruins young defenseman.
“I can’t limit it to one player, the impact he has had,” said Sweeney. “The impact he had last year with Brandon Carlo and now you are seeing it with McAvoy, it really is a ripple effect through our whole hockey club.
“I think the example of excellence starts with Zdeno and our core group and it really permeates through our entire lineup. I don’t think it is limited to one player, but I do believe they’ve developed a real good relationship on and off the ice and the results show it.”
Overtime revival
The approaching Stanley Cup playoffs will bring an end to one of the more interesting aspects of the season. The fiveminute, 3-on-3 overtime presents great open ice opportunities for fast skaters and finesse stick handlers to display the skills with little fear of contact.
Nobody in the NHL does the 3-on-3 better than Brad Marchand, who tied the NHL record for overtime goals in a season with his fifth just 28 seconds into last Sunday’s extra session in Minnesota against the Wild.
Since losing their first four extra-session games this season, including three in overtime, the Bruins have won six of their last 10 overtimes. Defenseman Torey Krug has been the other big contributor to the turnaround, with four OT assists, including his lead pass off the boards to set up Marchand’s break in against the Wild.
“I think with the open ice out there, the more your skill can take over,” said Krug. “It is a lot of fun to be part of and I think of it as there being just three players out there.
“A couple could be more defensive minded than others but it’s is almost like pond hockey. When you have the chance to jump and go you do it but some players have more defensive responsibilities than others.”
Crossing Jordan
BU center Jordan Greenway made his NHL debut with the Wild on Tuesday. The 6-6, 229-pounder signed a contract with Minnesota after the Terriers were eliminated from the NCAA tournament by Michigan last weekend in Worcester.
Greenway has several connections with the Bruins, including former BU teammates McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk. He also played on a line with Brian Gionta and roomed with Ryan Donato playing for Team USA in this year’s Winter Olympics.
“He’s one of those guys who was a good college player but looks like he could be a better pro hockey player,” said Donato, himself not even two weeks removed
from the college game.