Photo Credit: nbcsports
By: Thomas Nystrom Follow Me On Twitter @nahstrom
There appears to be a difference in opinion prevailing amongst Bruins fans. Do you go out and get the big name at the deadline? Do you stand pat? The fact that Boston is even in this situation is nothing short of incredible based on preseason expectations. The chemistry and production has been lauded in big media outlets across North America. The question has become: Do they have enough to win a cup? Regardless of which crowd you belong to, the Boston Bruins have some critical decisions to make in the next ten days regarding acquiring a big piece or depth pieces.
While there are still valid arguments being made to the contrary, the idea of getting the ‘superstar’ has appeared to dim over the last week in and around the media coverage surrounding the Bruins. I would like to discuss one particular sticking point; the idea that getting a big name defensemen now could help Boston in both the immediate and future seasons. Absolutely, that goes without question. However, be wary of such a simplistic analysis. I take issue with the idea that a move like that will result in a guy who’d become Zdeno Chara’s future replacement. Take this into account: Chara will undoubtedly resign after this season. There is no debate. He has stated he wishes to keep playing and doing so in a Boston uniform. The assumption is that he will be here two more seasons and within the next two years there are numerous opportunities to address his eventual replacement. Drafting a successor and/or developing current or future prospects is vital to the organizational process both while we have Chara, and after he retires. This is not even taking into account that his replacement very well could be playing next to him night after night right now. Charlie McAvoy’s contract extension has to be the priority of the offseason and it’s not even close. Resigning McAvoy to a long-term deal would cement this blue line for the next decade. At that point, drafting and developing his line-mate can be brought into the discussion. Something to consider is whether Brandon Carlo may or may not be here at that point, and his detractors would obviously prefer the later. I will state for the record: there is not a team in the NHL that wouldn’t play Carlo 17-20 minutes a night right now. Whether or not the Bruins view him as expendable remains to be seen, but for the moment Carlo is lined up to be a defensive fixture for the foreseeable future.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yjV64bnniM&w=560&h=315] Zdeno Chara On Patrice Bergeron’s Play, NHL Trade Deadline, Courtesy of NESN
The direction in which this team will go at the deadline is entirely speculation. The front office has redeemed themselves from initial mixed reviews just a year ago when they fire Claude Julien and did little to make waves in the offseason. We must now take a step back and put our trust in Don Sweeney and his staff. Trust includes that the Boston Bruins will ultimately take their best option at the deadline while understanding what put them in the position of being ‘buyers’ in the first place: patience, depth, and chemistry. Should the team decide to stay the course with what they have, and perhaps add depth for the playoff run, the fans have little to complain about. Things look positive for the present and future of the franchise, deadline splash or not.
Thomas Nyström, Contributor.
Follow me on Twitter @nahstrom
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