- Mark Spector of Sportsnet: Spector on Bruins Zdeno Chara.
Zdeno Chara turns 38 in March, and has become to the Bruins what Jarome Iginla was to the Calgary Flames: that ageing superstar whom the Bruins need to make the playoffs for the next couple of seasons, but whose value will then slip to the point where any trade return on him is negligible.
The Bruins wouldn’t trade Chara now, as the playoffs are still a possibility, but the decline has begun.
The Bruins could use a right winger and a top-four defenseman before the deadline.
- Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Zdeno Chara will be 38 next month and has two years left on his deal at a $6.8 million cap hit. He was a runner-up for the Norris last season, but he’s slowing down. He’s played almost 1,200 regular season games, to go with 141 playoff games. His salary drops to $5 million next year, and $4 million in 2016-17. Is it time for the Bruins to move him? Would the Ducks be interested? GM Bob Murray wouldn’t trade any of Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm or Sami Vatanen, but hey do have Shea Theodore, young forwards in Emerson Etem, Nick Ritchie, Nicolas Kerdiles, Kyle Palmieri, Rickard Rakell, Devante Smith-Pelly, William Karlsson, Jacob Silfverberg, and a 1st round pick.
- Mike Johnston of Sportsnet: Nick Kypreos said the Bruins are open to trading Dennis Seidenberg and Loui Eriksson before the deadline. They still have to re-sign Reilly Smith, Dougie Hamilton and Torey Krug. Seidenberg has three years left and is owed $12 million.The Panthers have lots of cap space to make a move at the deadline. Everyone that Kypreos has talked to in the Panthers organization has that they are not interested in Phil Kessel.The Flames would like to re-sign Curtis Glencross, but they may not like the price. Karri Ramo could also be on the move, and the Penguins may not be all that happy with Thomas Greiss.
- Joe Haggerty of CSNNE: It may not be easy to find a taker for Seidenberg. He’s been a weak link for much of the season and has a full no-trade clause for this season and next. Loui Eriksson has been in rumors all season. He has one year left at $4.25 million. It’s believed the Bruins were interested in Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli. A trade for a winger and a top-four defenseman like Antoine Vermette and Keith Yandle (as an example) could work given the contracts they are trying to move.