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Boston Bruins: Three keys to success for the 2019-20 season

By Cameron Burgess

ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 15: Boston Bruins goalies Jaroslav Halak (41) and Tuukka Rask (40) celebrate on the ice after the Bruins defeated the Anaheim Ducks 3 to 0 in a game played on February 15, 2019 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 15: Boston Bruins goalies Jaroslav Halak (41) and Tuukka Rask (40) celebrate on the ice after the Bruins defeated the Anaheim Ducks 3 to 0 in a game played on February 15, 2019 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 02: Boston Bruins right defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) confers with Boston Bruins left defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) during a game between the Boston Bruins and the New Jersey Devils on March 2, 2019, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MARCH 02: Boston Bruins right defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) confers with Boston Bruins left defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) during a game between the Boston Bruins and the New Jersey Devils on March 2, 2019, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Decreased workload for Chara

At 42 years old, Zdeno Chara is now the oldest active player in the NHL. While he has still been able to play some valuable minutes for the Bruins, it might be time to lighten his workload and pass the torch to McAvoy.

After signing McAvoy to a deal that will pay him $4.9 million for each of the next three seasons, it might be time to see what the Bruins really have in the 21-year-old. McAvoy has shown signs that he is more than capable of being a workhorse early on in his career, but he has also struggled with various injuries and health concerns that limited him to just 54 games last season.

McAvoy isn’t the only defenseman ready for an increased workload with the Bruins. Matt Grzelcyk showed that he is capable of a bigger role after impressing during the playoffs last season, recording 8 points in 20 games. His ability to move the puck was obviously missed on the blue line after he went down with a concussion in the Stanley Cup Final.

The Bruins also have some options currently waiting for their chance to break into the NHL. Urho Vaakanainen has looked very good since being selected 18th overall by the Bruins in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

He’s likely one of the first candidates to be called up to the NHL club if anyone happens to go down with an injury. Jakub Zboril is also another young player who could see some time in the NHL. The 22-year-old has only appeared in two NHL games during his career since being selected 13th in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

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Chara is still a solid player for the Bruins but has shown some signs of decline in recent years. It’s time to pass the torch to the younger players and really see what this blue line is made of.

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