Will They Re-Sign Zdeno Chara? Sign Mike Hoffman? Here Are The Biggest Questions Surrounding The Bruins Now That The New Season Has Been Tentatively Agreed Upon

Marina12/19/2020 4:05 PM

News broke last night that the NHL & NHLPA have a tentative agreement on a 56 game season starting January 13th. Now we're going to start to see some answers surrounding the Bruins (hopefully) soon with training camp slated for January 3rd, just 15 days away.

Will they re-sign Zdeno Chara?

The biggest question mark going into next season is the future of Zdeno Chara. All offseason long we've heard about how he's waiting to see how the schedule fares before he makes a decision. With the tentative agreement in place I think he's going to start talking to teams (the Bruins included) and see if he's a fit. He's a prideful guy but if this season is going to consist of a ton of games crammed in as many days (ie baseball homestands), I think it'd be tough for him to keep up. That being said he keeps himself in unbelievable shape for his age, if he agrees to a cheap 1 year deal with sheltered minutes on a 2nd or 3rd pairing, I'd love to have him back with the B's. I don't think Chara's story ends with the Bruins like this. But my gut says it's a 50/50 chance he returns. Playing Devil's Advocate I think the B's will lean on Jakub Zboril, who had a great pro year last year down in Providence before the shut down. With about 3 million in cap space, they can fit Big Z, the question is do they want to?

How does the division re-alignment help the Bruins?

Well for starters Buffalo and New Jersey aren't exactly Toronto and Tampa. I'm no longer afraid of the Washington Capitals now that Braden Holtby is gone. The B's always play hard against the Islanders. Seeing Crosby+Malkin and the new look New York Rangers should be a treat as well. Certainly a better division for Boston, especially with the lose of Torey Krug (and potentially Zdeno Chara). The Top 4 teams in each division will qualify for the playoffs. One team from each division will qualify for the semifinals, and all the divisions will be renamed (maybe they'll sell the rights??? Honestly they should call them the Adams, Smythe, Patrick and Norris divisions for this year. Teams are gonna fucking hate each other by the playoffs and it's gonna be great.

Will they make a call to Mike Hoffman's camp or are they satisfied letting players compete for spots in camp?

Mike Hoffman has been linked to the Bruins all offseason long, would the Bruins love his 25-30 goals a year? Yes. Can they afford it without moving someone else out? Unlikely. Even if Chara doesn't return I just don't see Sweeney going out and signing Hoffman with the cap space he has. Hoffman has taken the wait and see approach and will want to try and get as much as he can. We just saw Anthony Duclair sign for 1.7 million for 1 year in Florida. That would have been more of a fit cap space wise, obviously. I just don't see Mike Hoffman fitting on this team money wise unless he's willing to take a cheap 1 year deal. THAT BEING SAID, If Pastrnak and Marchand land on the LTIR to start the season, that certainly gives Sweeney some wiggle room to get a deal done. In my opinion I think you're going to see the likes of Jack Studnicka, Karson Kuhlman, etc, etc, try and make the roster. Even Zach Senyshyn (2016 1st rounder) will have an opportunity to crack the roster.

Fans in TD Garden?

I don't think you'll see fans at the start of the season but certainly as the season continues (if all goes well) I think fans will eventually be allowed in the Garden. According to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh he says fans could potentially enter the Garden by February and March.

What's the status of David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand?

2 key guys with offseason surgeries in David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand. Marchand had a hernia surgery in mid September with a return date of January 14th. We don't know his current status but I imagine if he doesn't start the season, he won't be far behind. As far as David Pastrnak goes his projected return was February after a hip surgery. According to this article he did back in the Czech Republic, he still hasn't skated yet but is feeling good. I think the Craig Smith signing will be huge the first few months of the season while these guys are out to hopefully give that secondary scoring punch. Ondrej Kase getting a full year under his belt (albeit it's 56 games) with Krejci and DeBrusk should help as well.

With Torey Krug gone who gets the first PP unit Charlie McAvoy or Matt Grzelcyk?

The beautiful thing is that they can both run it. I think we'll see them both get the opportunity in camp (there are no preseason games) and see who takes it and runs with it. I think Grzelcyk has the leg up strictly by being a lefty shot. McAvoy you'll see turn into an all situations defenseman so maybe he runs the 2nd unit while Gryzzy gets the fist. TBD.

If Chara doesn't re-sign what does the left side of the D look like?

Well it doesn't look great! But again, if they do move on from Zdeno they really want the guys internally to battle for the position. Ala Jakub Zbroil, Urho Vaakanainen etc etc. If Chara does re-sign I'd put him with Carlo, I'd like to see Grzelcyk and McAvoy together. Then the 3rd pairing you have Clifton/K.Miller/Lauzon/J.Moore fighting for spots. Again, doesn't look good on paper but I think Sweeney feels like it's time for the young guys to step up.

When will we see the new Reverse Retro jerseys on ice?

Schedule has yet to be hammered out for the regular season but I imagine once that's done you'll see an alternate jersey schedule. The B's jersey has grown on me.

Have any more B's questions? Tweet me @marinakmaher. Also follow me on Instagram @marinakmaher as well as I'll be giving away some B's memorabilia before the season.