Patrick Powell
Salary Cap Analyst 

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File: David_Booth.jpg

In analyzing this deal , the proverbial “elephant in the room” is the disparity in age and potential upside of the players involved. Booth is 26, Reinprecht is 35, Samuelsson is 34, and Sturm is 33. The latter two seem on the downsides of their respective careers whereas Reinprecht, who has probably peaked as well, will remain dead weight in the AHL. Booth clearly has the highest potential of any player in the deal, but he arguably also carries the greatest health risk due to his 54 game campaign in 2009-2010 after suffering multiple concussions.

Reinprecht had been playing in the AHL, and recently reported to Vancouver’s AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. As a result, his full season cap hit of $2.05 million will not adversely affect the Canucks, who are now within $87,000 of the cap. Booth carries a full year cap hit of $4.25 million versus $2.5 million for Samuelsson and $2.25 million for Sturm.

The Panthers still have over $9 million in salary cap space, and they now have the maximum of 23 players on their active roster. GM Dale Tallon added experience to a young roster with this move but moreover cleared future cap space. He was not afraid to make a move that sends away potential in return for flexibility, which begs the question: Will we see more deals like this?

Booth is currently signed through 2015 as he previously committed himself to the Panthers just one season before Tallon took over the team. He was traded before his production severely dropped off, which makes the deal somewhat unique. A similar deal in length, like Shawn Horcoff‘s pact with the Edmonton Oilers, certainly would not relate since the pivot lost most of his trade value when he signed his new deal. The same should be said for Scott Gomez, whose contract extends through 2014 but is already the most discussed topic in Montreal.

A similar deal to the Booth trade could be the Calgary Flames moving players like Curtis Glencross, Rene Bourque or less likely Olli Jokinen, David Moss and Niklas Hagman. GM Jay Feaster would be willing to sacrifice potential (let’s face it outside of Roman Horak, Mikael Backlund and T.J. Brodie there are no young options) for added salary flexibility for the future. Building around their younger players looks like the right way to go as the front office in Calgary finally understands cap efficiency.

Another interesting option is left wing Blake Comeau, who may have permanently found coach Jack Capuano’s doghouse. The former 47th overall pick scored more than Booth last season and as Chris Botta of The New York Times hinted, via Twitter, Comeau’s value is severely decreasing with decreased playing time. This scenario may perfectly mirror that of Booth’s as Comeau could help a contender in need of secondary scoring while preventing GM Garth Snow from investing further resources on a depreciating asset down the line.

The next option for another blockbuster could involve the currently held out Kyle Turris. We know he wants to be traded and GM Don Maloney may be forced to trade him at below his market value in order to get some usable assets for him this season. Furthermore, his subtraction would clear salary cap space for the future as the team would not have to pay him in excess of $4 million this year and likely more down the road — especially when considering his unproven talents.

Then again, the Panthers and Canucks could hook up once more. In fact, one would be foolish to rule out Mikael Samuelsson getting sent back to Vancouver once healthy as he did work in coach Alain Vigneault‘s system. Of course, this trade would not be the second, or the third even between these teams in recent years.

This deal marks the second blockbuster involving these clubs but fourth transaction in recent memory. In 2006, the Canucks acquired starting goalie Roberto Luongo, defenseman Lukas Krajicek, and sixth round draft choice (Canucks drafted Sergei Shirokov) in exchange for forward Todd Bertuzzi, goaltender Alex Auld, and defenseman Bryan Allen. Other players like Keith Ballard, Michael Grabner and Christopher Higgins have also switched jerseys over the last couple of seasons.

As Bill pointed out in his piece, Tallon sought to send a message to his young Panthers’ club with this move: you need to perform to stay. Will this message reverberate to other teams in the league? For example, the Blue Jackets (0-7-1) Sharks (3-3-0), Flames (2-4-1), Canadiens (1-4-2), and Bruins (3-5-0) have all performed below expectations in the early going. Players with these teams, particularly those earning over $4 million per season, may feel the heat from Tallon’s move. Perhaps GMs from these teams will ensure to cite David Booth as an example to demonstrate that subpar efforts will not be tolerated, and that no player is safe.

Alexander Monaghan also contributed to this article.

Today, Glen Sather and the New York Rangers inked top UFA center Brad Richards to a nine-year contract worth $60 million. The news, broken by TSN’s Darren Dreger, via Twitter, gives the team their number one pivot that their system truly lacked as he can not only play invaluable minutes but also man the point on the powerplay.

If Richards played on the Rangers last season, he would have led the team in scoring with his 28 goals and 77 points. More importantly, he continues to help shape his new team’s roster in a manner that allows their young and developing players to adapt to the NHL. No longer does Artem Anisimov need to play on the top line. No longer is Derek Stepan expected to be a top-line center in his second professional season playing hockey. These guys and the rest of the young prospects have time to develop — a boon to the roster whether the deal works out in the long run.

And if it doesn’t? Well, at this point that is a problem for a different team. At 31-years-old he will presumably play at this top level for at least three more seasons. The salary is reported to be front loaded for the first five seasons which give a decent short-term window for Richards to succeed in the Big Apple.

Furthermore, the signings the Rangers previously gaffed on (ie. Scott Gomez, Chris Drury, Wade Redden, etc.) featured players coming from secondary roles into primary roles. While these veterans were able to succeed as top liners on their former teams, they featured a supporting cast that allowed them to do just that. Redden partnered with Zdeno Chara; Gomez just needed to feed his linemates enough for Martin Brodeur and their blue line to shut the opposition down; Drury was a product of his system, not his offensive prowess. Last season, by all accounts the Dallas Stars lived and died by Richards.

Next season John Tortorella can do just that. In the past it worked as Richards helped the Tampa Bay Lightning achieve the sport’s greatest trophy in the Stanley Cup. Tortorella did not need to use him on the top line since they already had Vincent Lecavalier but he used Richards as the quarterback on the powerplay — a position which he thrived in. Watching the Lightning topple the Calgary Flames and even earlier opponents, it seemed like every shot he took went in. Richards possesses that magical ability to slow down a game and make difficult plays look easy which is something Ranger fans likely do not remember.

Watching Jaromir Jagr dominate the ice was a treat, as was the Mark Messier era in the early 90s. Richards is not this player, but in turn an infusion of skill that should fit in between the enigmatic duo of Wojtek Wolski and Marian Gaborik. Simply put, if he cannot get them going, no one can which would speak more to Gaborik and Wolski than this established 70-80 point player. In addition, if they don’t work it would make more sense to build around Richards than streaky scorers with only one to three years remaining on their contracts.

We spoke earlier how the Rangers’ choice to re-sign Ruslan Fedotenko gave them two solid lines. While those lines likely would be considered a second and fourth line at the NHL level, they can now settle into just that if Richards clicks with Gaborik. It pushes either Anisimov or Stepan into a third line role, presumably playing with Sean Avery, Mats Zuccarello or the newly signed Mike Rupp which gives a nice mix of two-way play, skill and grit. Moreover, it gives the Rangers just so many options; options they did not have when their blue collar team could not overcome the Washington Capitals in the last season’s playoffs.

By Alexander Monaghan
President

Not a great day to be a Pittsburgh Penguins fan.

Earlier today, the team officially announced they would not get into a bidding war for their former captain Jaromir Jagr and then re-signed Tyler Kennedy. The majority of reactions praised GM Ray Shero for locking up a main cog in last season’s system to a short-term contract. However, everything would go downhill from there. Jagr would sign with Atlantic Division rival Philadelphia Flyers followed by Max Talbot following suit. Less relevant but still painful, the New York Rangers took another one of their players, adding Mike Rupp to their roster.

In Rupp, the Rangers find an immediate replacement for the sadly deceased Derek Boogaard. Despite rostering tough guys like Brandon Prust and even Brian Boyle, the signing of this veteran adds an enforcer still capable of handling a regular shift. Last season, Rupp finished second on the Penguins with 12 fighting majors. Those totals tie Sean Avery‘s mark and finish just slightly behind the 18 posted by Brandon Prust.

Although 31-years-old, Rupp can still fill the back of the net as he sneakily potted 22 in his two years in Pittsburgh. It is likely that his slight uptick in shooting percentage could be responsible for his scoring binge but in all likelihood his Jack Adams Trophy winning coach Dan Blysma helped along his cause. In New York he will be coached by the stricter John Tortorella, who will make sure this veteran gets in game-ready condition and fits into their blue-collar mentality. If he cannot, the $1.5 million cap hit would likely be movable at some point in the tenure or, as we witnessed before, could be buried in the minors.

When free agency strikes, most Rangers fans remain cautiously optimistic. The veritably senile Glen Sather could draft an unknown in the first round or make completely nonsensical signings like Aaron Voros, Patrick Rissmiller, Wade Redden or Scott Gomez. Then again, sometimes he manages to strike gold. Sometimes. As far as free agent signings go, taking on a gritty veteran like Rupp for three years and $4.5 million could be the least of this team’s worries come next season.  While other teams around the Rangers get better, at least this team counteracts that with toughness.

By Jared Book
NHLHS Montreal Canadiens Correspondent

Boy, did that look familiar. The Canadiens used their key to success last year in the first two rounds to extend their first round matchup to the distance. Goaltending, blocked shots and timely goals.

Except for a lapse early in the second period, it was perfection for the Canadiens. I’m not talking about a perfect game in terms of domination – don’t get me wrong. I mean that they played their game perfectly from start to finish. It was similar in Game Five in that regard. The difference is that the Bruins gave the Canadiens a couple of 5-on-3s and they were burned by those penalties.

The big stories were the quick whistle in the first period, which cost the Canadiens a goal. It was obviously the wrong call but in the third period, the whistle was blown when there was a loose puck in Carey Price‘s crease. The penalties that were called against the Bruins were not controversial. The only question was on the check by Milan Lucic on Jaroslav Spacek. Personally, that was the definition of check from behind. There was no doubt it should have been five minutes. This was all about intent and not result. As for a suspension, it’s possible but I don’t think the NHL will go that way.

The biggest concern from a Canadiens standpoint is that they worked their horses hard in this game. Tomas Plekanec, Mike Cammalleri, Andrei Kostitsyn, Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta all worked major minutes and one has to wonder what they have left in the tank for their game tomorrow night. I don’t blame Jacques Martin for doing it – he had no other choice. But it will be an interesting story line going into tomorrow’s game. A storyline that won’t only affect them in game seven. If they do move on, will they be able to perform in the second round.

I said after game six that it would be desperation vs momentum. Now, the roles are reversed. Montreal carries momentum into what basically turns into a home-and-home series and Boston is the desperate team. Will they finally break their 0-5 record when facing the possibility to win a series over the last two seasons? It might even be a more pressure-packed situation than Vancouver faced going into their game tonight.

Twitter: @jaredbook

By Jared Book
NHLHS Montreal Canadiens Correspondent

The Montreal Canadiens had a loud building, all of the momentum and a chance to take a 3-0 lead in the series. They came out and did exactly the opposite of what they were successful doing. They went for big hits and left their defensive assignments for naught. The Bruins out-Canadiened the Canadiens.

They turned an early power play into an early deficit after Roman Hamrlik was way too nonchalant on defensive coverage leaving a two-on-one down low and David Krejci did not miss his chance. Then, two misplays by Carey Price (one on a shot that went wide, the second on a bad play of the puck) gave the Bruins a 3-0 lead. Montreal fought back with a great final 30 minutes but, and how often do you hear this, they didn’t play a full 60 minutes which cost them the game.

The Bruins, for their part, did the opposite. They played a great game early on, but then two goals given up by Tim Thomas made it a much tighter finish, although Thomas came up with huge saves that saved the win for Boston. It’s tough to say who gets momentum after this game. Boston comes out of it with a victory and renewed life in the series, but Montreal comes out angry, knowing that with a better start they could have walked away with victory. The first period of Game Four will be much more important for Montreal than it will for Boston. They need to keep the crowd in the game, and more importantly be able to play their game.

Zdeno Chara came back and played a lot of minutes but was very clearly not 100%. But for Boston, that is good enough. Chara is physical and the plays where he looked bad (the Andrei Kostitsyn goal, for example) were few and far between. He leads the Bruins and Chara at 80% is still a huge factor – no pun intended.

After most of game two and an invisible first period the Canadiens were able to count on Brian Gionta and Scott Gomez to give them two scoring lines along with the trio of Tomas Plekanec, Mike Cammalleri and Kostitsyn that looked like they could score every time they were on the ice. Gionta looked like he was going to will himself to the tying goal with several scoring chances out of just pure hard work.

What did we learn from this game? Not much, to be honest. It was almost an exact reversal of the first two games. Quick road goals, a big push back and then a goaltender shutting down the chances in the third period. The only thing we really figured out is that this series will be very close all the way down to the end.

A note that was mentioned before the game is that in every series post-expansion, the winner of game three between Boston and Montreal went on to win every series. Boston has also never come back from an 0-2 deficit. Montreal has blown two consecutive 2-0 series leads. One of those things have to give, and ultimately it doesn’t matter. History will be made, but history does not dictate what happens. That comes down to the two teams on the ice and game four will be one heck of a hockey game.

By Jared Book
NHLHS Montreal Canadiens correspondent

In 2006, the Montreal Canadiens beat the favourite Carolina Hurricanes in the first two games of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal, taking a 2-0 lead back to Montreal. The Canadiens responded by losing four straight games and losing the series in six games. Now, any Canadiens fan will realize that there were several things that occured in that series (a high stick that ended Saku Koivu‘s series and the emergence of Cam Ward) there are things to be taken away from that series.

Mainly, one game can swing everything. Yes, home ice is in Montreal’s favour but that did so well for the Boston Bruins, right? Montreal cannot lift their foot off the accelerator and afford to let the Bruins back in this series. Boston, more than most teams, know that a series isn’t over unless you win four games. Symmetry being what it is, Claude Julien was fired by Montreal before the end of that 2006 season, and he could easily call upon a young goaltender – Tuukka Rask – in game three.

Having said that, there are a lot of things that are different from 2006. Mainly, Montreal is a much better team than they were then, and have a system that is tried and true in the playoffs (see: last year). Also, they are facing a Boston team that is frustrated and without their captain (although it remains to be seen for how long).

People who were giving the advantage in goal to the Bruins before the series are looking foolish, hindsight being what it is. Even if the goaltending was even in this series, Boston could be up 2-0 instead of down 2-0. The fact of the matter is Tim Thomas is shaky, and giving up rebounds and goals that Carey Price is gobbling up with ease. If Price keeps this up, and more importantly if Thomas does, this series will not be turning around for the Bruins.

Jaroslav Halak is still making a difference in these playoffs. The player that was received for him from the St. Louis Blues, Lars Eller has been outstanding these two games and although his line has been on the ice for some Boston scoring chances, his game tonight was very good, especially in the final two periods. Eller along with Tom Pyatt have been great, and that line gave the Canadiens a huge insurance goal when a turnover led to Yannick Weber‘s goal on a rebound off an Eller shot. Pyatt is really the key that shifts the Scott Gomez trade with the New York Rangers in Montreal’s favour. Originally thought of as a throw-in, he has been very good in the playoffs the last two years.

Rumour had it that when Montreal heard that Zdeno Chara would not be in the lineup, they had a little eruption in the tunnel. The Canadiens had to be happy that he was out, and started the game off very strong with two goals in the game’s first three minutes. Boston fought back but could not shift momentum all the way over to their side. If Montreal has a strong start in game three in front of a raucous home crowd on Monday night, that might be enough to put the series on ice.

One of the biggest things facing Jacques Martin is last change. After being exploited a couple of shifts by not being able to get Tomas Plekanec out against David Krejci, Martin will be able to have the last change for the next two games, and that will allow him to get the matchups he wants and that is another edge for the Habs tactician. You saw his calmness on the bench, even when it was a one goal game and you saw the antithesis to that on the Bruins bench when Julien went off on the referees after Dennis Seidenberg‘s penalty early in the first which led to Mathieu Darche‘s goal to make the game 2-0. A lot of people have gotten on Martin for his lack of emotion on the bench, but sometimes it is exactly what a team needs.

Montreal has the definite advantage going into the game on Monday night, but Montreal needs to keep the same emotion they have had in their two road games. They cannot engage too much and stay on for long shifts and gratuitous hits. If they can channel their emotion into the same game they played in Boston, time might be running out for the Bruins.

Twitter: @jaredbook

By Jared Book
NHLHS Montreal Canadiens correspondent

I’m at two schools of thought after this game. First thought is that the Canadiens cannot play a period like the second period and expect to win many playoff games. The second thought is that, well, they did that to win two rounds last year.

Good goaltending can bring you a long way in the playoffs. Montreal got it today. Boston did not. The Bruins out chanced, out shot and out possessed Montreal but Carey Price out dueled Tim Thomas and that was the game. For Bruins fans, it must have been frustration brewing at Dunkin’ Donuts. For Canadiens fans, it looked an awful lot like last year.

The thing that led Montreal last year, besides outstanding goaltending was timely goal scoring. That was apparent again tonight. Brian Gionta scored twice. Once in the first three minutes. Once in the last three minutes. Both goals from great plays and passes from Scott Gomez. He made a lot of Canadiens fans forget about this game.

- How great was P.K. Subban tonight? He led all Habs in ice time (almost five minutes more than Hal Gill who was second.), led some great breakouts and played outstanding in his own end.

- Tomas Plekanec was also superb. He played great in his own end and missed two open nets in the second period. If he keeps it up, it will free up the Gomez line to score although Mike Cammalleri and Andrei Kostitsyn looked awfully good too.

- I could point out things about almost every Canadiens player, but that will take a while but every Hab played well tonight. I will give out a mention to Ryan White, Brent Sopel and Travis Moen. Those three were unbelievable every time they stepped on the ice. I also thought David Desharnais played well in his NHL Playoff debut.

- I think every Canadiens fan was laughing when they saw Zdeno Chara giving Plekanec the business. Frustration setting in after just one game. Should be a fun series.

The Canadiens played their game to perfection and came back from a lackluster second period with a great road third period. They outshot Boston 6-5 in the final frame and outscored them 1-0. They had a bad second period but Price kept them in it and if they can keep chipping at Thomas’s armor, there is no reason they can’t keep momentum going.

Montreal has taken home-ice advantage from the Bruins. Saturday night they will have to bring the same type of game.

Twitter: @jaredbook

By Jared Book

Coming into the season, most predictions said that whether or not the Montreal Canadiens would make the playoffs would depend on the play of Carey Price. Well, as symmetry would have it, the win in the game that clinched their spot, Price was a major reason they won.

Price did bail the team out often, especially in his 20-save third period, but Corey Crawford made several big saves on his end as well. It was a great game, and one that showed good offensive play from the Canadiens scoring lines including a goal from Mike Cammalleri and a couple of great assists from Andrei Kostitsyn. The timing couldn’t be better. If these two could keep it going in the playoffs like they did last year, (especially Cammalleri who led the playoffs in goals) the Canadiens chances in the playoffs go up exponentially. Even the Scott Gomez, Brian Gionta duo looked good when playing with either Benoit Pouliot or Mathieu Darche.

Jacques Martin probably wasn’t happy with the defensive side of the effort, but they fought Chicago’s attack with an attack of their own and that is something that hasn’t been seen lately from the team. It was the perfect game for them to have going into the playoffs. They didn’t dominate, but they were playing the defending Stanley Cup champions who were also looking to solidify their playoff positioning. They came out on top on a tremendous looking 4-on-3 power play when P.K. Subban scored his 14th goal of the season. After a slow start to the year, he has come on offensively and made a couple of very good defensive plays as well as he gets ready for his second playoff tour of duty.

Now, the last two games of the season come down to playoff positioning. The Canadiens don’t seem to worried about where they end up, and they do have the tie breaker with all the teams behind them if it comes down to that. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Alex Auld start at least one of the games, although probably not both because you don’t want Price to get rusty. You may even see some skaters sit to nurse some nagging injuries or at least get less ice time while playing because the Canadiens will probably not recall forwards from Hamilton as the Bulldogs approach their playoffs. Yannick Weber will probably see some game action after being a healthy scratch for most games since the trade deadline.

One thing is for sure, the Canadiens will play Philadelphia, Washington or Boston in the first round, which just happens to be their three biggest rivals in a playoff position. Philadelphia has been struggling while Washington and Boston are striving as the season comes to a close. Washington might be the toughest of the three to play if for nothing else, because the law of averages will point towards another upset.

Philadelphia always has Montreal’s number in the playoffs, and might be the toughest of the three although questions have come into play about their goaltending. The recall of Michael Leighton (should he clear re-entry waivers as expected) gives them another option should Sergei Bobrovsky or Brian Boucher struggle or get hurt.

Most Canadiens fans are looking for a grudge match with the Boston Bruins. Not only are they the long-time rivals, but there was that whole Zdeno Chara hit on Max Pacioretty. The Canadiens need any combination of three points won, or lost by New York and Buffalo to clinch 6th spot and face the Bruins.

Jared Book
Montreal Canadiens NHLHS Correspondent
www.twitter.com/jaredbook

By Jared Book

The Montreal Canadiens went from a playoff certainty to fighting for a playoff spot in a rough month of March where the always resilient team has become passive and seem to be hitting a wall.

From the Max Pacioretty hit, this team lost a lot of its oomph, which just happens to be the thing that makes it successful. The wind was taken out of their sails and going from dominating Boston for the first 40 minutes of that game, it was all downhill from there. Aside from a 8-1 over the Minnesota Wild, the Canadiens have lacked conviction and urgency when that’s all that is necessary at this time of the year.

The best news for the Canadiens is that teams around them are also struggling. The New York Rangers have not taken advantage of their recent run to catch the Canadiens and advance to 6th place and the Buffalo Sabres have an even scarier situation – being without their best player in Ryan Miller. The result is, despite playing poorly, the Canadiens remain in 6th and have two teams between them and 9th place Carolina.

It really does seem that the team is hitting a wall, right after they seemed to be hitting their stride. Since Pacioretty got injured, the team also lost Tomas Plekanec, and Jeff Halpern for periods of time and also reports have surfaced that Mike Cammalleri has not been himself because of bumps and bruises. With Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta also not scoring, that doesn’t lend itself to winning hockey games.

What does this team need? A confidence boost. Pacioretty skated with the team this week and perhaps that will lift the team up. With only four games left, time is running out. Facing three fierce rivals (New Jersey, Ottawa and Toronto) as well as the defending Stanley Cup champions and a team fighting for a playoff spot in Chicago means there is no room for error.

I do think that the Canadiens will recover to make the playoffs, but that is never enough in this city, especially after their Cinderella run of last year. Even with them limping into the playoffs, expectations are still high. It is up to Jacques Martin to find a way to get his team going.

For a team that relies so much on its character and tenacity, it sure seems like they are licking their wounds (figuratively and literally) which can prove to be the most fatal blow of them all.

Twitter.com/jaredbook – @jaredbook

Nobody who has seen the hit by Zdeno Chara on Max Pacioretty will forget for sometime. Regardless of what you thought about intent, result, or supplemental discipline it was as ugly a result as you would see on a hockey rink. The good news last night was that it was released that Pacioretty suffered “only” a concussion. Yes, it was good news that he was not paralyzed or worse, but that doesn’t mean we could downplay the affect of a concussion.

Sidney Crosby has a concussion from a trauma a lot less severe than what Pacioretty went through. So did Justin Morneau and he was out for months, and that was to play baseball again — a game where the physicality is not as risky as it is in hockey. Pacioretty was knocked out cold and he will probably be out a matter of weeks, if not months. You never know with head injuries. Whether Chara is out for one more game, two more games or 10, he will be back for the Bruins. Pacioretty is lost to the Canadiens for possibly longer and with the team on a roll, you have to look at who will replace him.

The obvious choice to replace him on the wing of Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta is Benoit Pouliot, and that is what we saw last night in the third period. You don’t want to break up the line of Lars Eller, Travis Moen and Andrei Kostitsyn as they are playing with chemistry that no one would have thought was there. If you move Pouliot to the Gomez line, that means that Tom Pyatt will be playing with Ryan White and David Desharnais. Admittedly, that makes this line a lot less dangerous offensively but can still provide some spark and be a very good fourth line and Pouliot has to play the same type of game that made Pacioretty successful.

This point may be moot, Pacioretty could recover quickly from the concussion even though he was knocked out. He could be very lucky in that regard, but odds are that the Canadiens will have to find a contingency plan and Pouliot fits that role best. If not, it could always open the door to the more offensively minded Nigel Dawes to get called up from Hamilton and that’s something that could happen as well.

The hit itself was crazy. I wasn’t watching the game live at the time, but was on Twitter. When I started seeing reactions from people on my timeline, I turned to the game (that I was recording at the same time) and re-watched it. It was scary. It reminded me (as it has others) of the Nodar Kumaritashvili crash at the Vancouver Olympics. It was the same combination of body-on-metal.

Personally, I do think Chara knew what he was doing and the final extension of his arm showed he did push Pacioretty. The hit itself was not dirty. It was a shove. It was the fact that he went right into the partition that changes things, and will be hard to judge. I do not think Chara will be out for the season and playoffs as many fans are calling for, but I do think there will be a suspension. Chara is a repeat offender. He also has history with Pacioretty. There was no bounty, but that certainly won’t help things.

Chara will meet with NHL Vice President Mike Murphy today at noon, as Colin Campbell cannot rule on the matter because his son Gregory plays with Chara on the Bruins.

Jared Book
NHLHS Montreal Canadiens correspondent
Twitter: @jaredbook