I really don't think the salary cap was the number one issue in that situation. With no salary cap in place, there would have been a dozen teams lining up to sign the Beast. Chara signed in Boston because he was convinced he would win there.
- rynoisgod

I just double checked it and the avs man is absolutely correct, they had to make a choice between redden and chara due to cap space only allowing them to sign one, and they chose wrong.

I'm surprised no gm tries an offer sheet for either Riley smith or krug... Considering Boston's limited cap space it shouldn't take very much to pry either of the two players outta Boston
- Kunit

Under 3 years of service, can't offer sheet those players otherwise they'd easily be targeted by now.

I'm surprised no gm tries an offer sheet for either Riley smith or krug... Considering Boston's limited cap space it shouldn't take very much to pry either of the two players outta Boston
- Kunit

They can not reciev offer sheets. They don't have enough years yet.

Under 3 years of service, can't offer sheet those players otherwise they'd easily be targeted by now.
- nelson911

Opps....my bad.

This man has it right. Didn't see that he responded.

Seems that our #1 pick is looking good. Still early, and it's a long shot, but it would be great to have a potential rook of the year candidate from the draft for once.

Kinda excited to see what he does in training camp.

I just double checked it and the avs man is absolutely correct, they had to make a choice between redden and chara due to cap space only allowing them to sign one, and they chose wrong.
- Isles_since_6

The point is Chara did not want to stay in Ottawa because they were nowhere near Cup contention (I know they made it to the finals in 2007, but they were a fluke that year winning two rounds in an upset). Salary cap or not, he was a goner.

So yes, as I said before, I agree the salary cap was an issue, but it takes two to sign a contract and I don't think Chara was signing anything but farewell cards in Ottawa. Chances are Chara told the front office he wasn't resigning and they were left with signing Redden by default. Then they spin the story that they "chose" Redden over Chara in a tough decision. Chara is too good of a guy to say anything. The rest is history.

I'm surprised no gm tries an offer sheet for either Riley smith or krug... Considering Boston's limited cap space it shouldn't take very much to pry either of the two players outta Boston
- Kunit

Neither are subject to offer sheets.

The point is Chara did not want to stay in Ottawa because they were nowhere near Cup contention (I know they made it to the finals in 2007, but they were a fluke that year winning two rounds in an upset). Salary cap or not, he was a goner.

So yes, as I said before, I agree the salary cap was an issue, but it takes two to sign a contract and I don't think Chara was signing anything but farewell cards in Ottawa. Chances are Chara told the front office he wasn't resigning and they were left with signing Redden by default. Then they spin the story that they "chose" Redden over Chara in a tough decision. Chara is too good of a guy to say anything. The rest is history.
- rynoisgod

Im sorry, but you are a bit off here and have your love of Chara as the perfect B blinding you. He wanted to stay in ottawa, and you need to do a simple google search to find articles that say that, Big Z even saying so himself. Wredden and Chara both wanted to stay and Ott couldn't afford both, they were destroyed by the Cap.

http://www.thehockeynews....ng-back-old-memories.html

From the article:
Chara, now with the Bruins, left town on a different note. ‘Big Z’ stayed with the Sens for one post-lockout season before the new salary cap put the expensive Ottawa team in a pinch and forced them to make a choice – one that ended with Chara in a rival Northeast jersey.

“It was very sad,” Chara said. “I wanted to stay and play for Ottawa. It’s just unfortunate. Things like that happen in sport and you just can’t blame anybody. At that time it was a choice between myself and Wade (Redden) and I’m not saying they made a wrong decision, Wade is a great player and he was very effective for the team, there was just not room for me and I had to find a new job.”

I really don't think the salary cap was the number one issue in that situation. With no salary cap in place, there would have been a dozen teams lining up to sign the Beast. Chara signed in Boston because he was convinced he would win there.
- rynoisgod

Uh, there were a lot of teams lining up to sign him, and it came down to the Bruins, Capitals, and one other team..I can't remember. He chose Boston, and obviously found much success there.

Uh, there were a lot of teams lining up to sign him, and it came down to the Bruins, Capitals, and one other team..I can't remember. He chose Boston, and obviously found much success there.
- Blackstrom2

I do remember it being a big deal that he wanted to be the immediate Captain and Boston obliged. Z and Savard helped put Boston back on the map.

Wait, Ty are you saying that you think Boychuk is worth more than Okposo AND Grabner or Clutterbuck? I may be reading that incorrectly but that's looney tunes.

Would assume you'd be looking at (a minimum) of Boychuk/Subban or Spooner/maybe even more for Okposo alone.

I'd love to get our hands on Okposo, great replacement for Horton/Iggy. But I'm not sure the Isles are willing to part with him.
- Double_A

Nah, more that while Okposo would be the best return, an offer around Grabner or Clutterbuck would seem more likely.

Hmm, I don't really have anything nice to say about this blog other than the writer is seriously over valuing Boychuk especially given Boston cap situation. A pending UFA on a cap crunched team and you want a top line power forward under contract at less than 3 mil per? I want a pony too, but it ain't happening.
- Isles_since_6

It was a hypothetical, my man.

It was a hypothetical, my man.
- tyanderson

still needs to be based in reality sir.

MY GAWD I hate the salary cap. How are teams supposed to keep their core together long-term in this environment?
- rynoisgod

I love it. You want to go back to Detroit buying cups every other year?

I do remember it being a big deal that he wanted to be the immediate Captain and Boston obliged. Z and Savard helped put Boston back on the map.
- Mahewman

Though not at recognized, Thornton and Ference where a huge part of that too.

I agree. Let the kids play.
Think about it........who was the last DEVELOPED player we had make the team?
I mean Lucic, Krejic, Marchand, etc....

We had some very good players now in the top six that were started on the bottom lines and earned top line spots.
Maybe koko, spooner, Florek, etc are the next Lucic or Marchands.

Need to let them play to see what they ate made of. But we do need to trade boychuck and one of the young guys, cough cough......Bart.
- JIwasinskiJr

Hamilton, Krug, Miller, Bart

I'm surprised no gm tries an offer sheet for either Riley smith or krug... Considering Boston's limited cap space it shouldn't take very much to pry either of the two players outta Boston
- Kunit

Probably because they aren't eligible for offer sheets.

Probably because they aren't eligible for offer sheets.
- Double_A

Feaster, Jay

Hamilton, Krug, Miller, Bart
- Double_A

Bergeron, Seguin, Wheeler.

The Bruins are in a tight position about who to trade for cap relief. Boychuk would bring back value but would think that other GM's wouldn't try to offer up much only bc of the possible cap situation. Plus I think McQuaid would be best for a trade but again bc of prior/past injuries will hinder value & cause a sell low aspect of him.
Would the Bruins just be better off trading McQuaid instead for picks and/or minor players just for the cap relief & keep the better Dman in Boychuk? That would be my preference.... Then go sign a heavy weight fighter for 4th line on the cheap....

MY GAWD I hate the salary cap. How are teams supposed to keep their core together long-term in this environment?
- rynoisgod

the bruins have done a fantastic job of developing their young talent. That's a huge key to it. your management, coaching staff and player development are top notch.

The Bruins are in a tight position about who to trade for cap relief. Boychuk would bring back value but would think that other GM's wouldn't try to offer up much only bc of the possible cap situation. Plus I think McQuaid would be best for a trade but again bc of prior/past injuries will hinder value & cause a sell low aspect of him.
Would the Bruins just be better off trading McQuaid instead for picks and/or minor players just for the cap relief & keep the better Dman in Boychuk? That would be my preference.... Then go sign a heavy weight fighter for 4th line on the cheap....
- Ur Not Me

There is enough toughness on the roster where I don't really see the need here. If needed Bobby Robbins could be called up from Providence.

There is enough toughness on the roster where I don't really see the need here. If needed Bobby Robbins could be called up from Providence.
- glove_was_stuck

I only made that suggestion off the blogger's piece of losing a heavy weight fighter w/McQuaid and not having Lucic & Chara handle those duties....

I only made that suggestion off the blogger's piece of losing a heavy weight fighter w/McQuaid and not having Lucic & Chara handle those duties....
- Ur Not Me

kevan miller is a mean SOB

There is enough toughness on the roster where I don't really see the need here. If needed Bobby Robbins could be called up from Providence.
- glove_was_stuck

The Bruins needing added toughness is like saying Detroit has very few Swedes.