Peter Chiarelli’s Ron Burgundy Moment
Kevin Burgundy | Oct 20, 2009 | Comments 3
I think every GM faces at least one Ron Burgundy moment in their time managing an NHL team. Of course, by Burgundy moment I mean a defining set of decisions that either helps or hurts one’s reputation. I think Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli is having his Burgundy moment now.
With expectations of duplicating last season’s success, Chiarelli is tasked with some difficult decisions ahead, starting with star center Marc Savard. Savard, who is in the final year of his four-year $20 Million contract with the Boston Bruins, has played a huge role in the team’s turnaround and is considered among the NHL’s elite playmakers. How will Chiarelli keep Savard a Bruin beyond this season? Or the better question, what do you think Marc Savard could get on the open market, come July 1, 2010? Will the Bruins match it or will Savard take less to say in Boston?
Another less talked about problem for Chiarelli will be Blake Wheeler who’s scheduled to be a restricted free agent next July as well as a few other less notable players. It goes without saying both Wheeler and Savard are due for raises.
We’ve already seen a few tough decisions hit Peter Chiarelli’s desk and the immediate impact has been felt. Phil Kessel (traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs) and Chuck Kobasew (traded to the Minnesota Wild) were both traded for draft picks and prospects – neither playing fetching immediate return. Obviously, the Bruins have lost some of the depth that helped them claim the Eastern Conference banner last year, but now the younger Bruins will have a chance to make an impact with the club. With Kessel and Kobasew, these are clear attempts from Chiarelli to clear salary cap space (likely for players like Savard and Wheeler).
Adding to these issues, the Bruins have had a rough start to the 2009-2010 NHL season, going 3-4-0. It also doesn’t help that Milan Lucic is reportedly out of the Bruins line up for 4-6 weeks after breaking his thumb over the weekend.
Things are about to get interesting in Boston. Can Chiarelli keep both Savard and Wheeler? And can the Bruins move forward with depth and young players without feeling the loss of production from the likes Kessel and Kobasew?
Make no mistake about it, this is Peter Chiarelli’s Ron Burgundy moment. It’ll be interesting to see what the Boston Bruins look like when the moment finishes. And even more interesting will be how Chiarelli is viewed years from now after we see the results of his decisions.
Stay classy, Peter Chiarelli.
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Burgundy is the chief editor for Stayclassy.net. Follow him on Twitter (@Stay_Classy) or email him.
Filed Under: Boston Bruins • Eastern Conference • Featured • NHL • NHL Teams
So does this mean that Pete will get “trapped in a glass case of emotion” if he cannot re-sign Savard? :)
Great blog, lookin forward to more! …I was thinking about the Savvy situation. He can be resigned, but I do believe that the B’s may part with Bergy. Either way, if Chiarelli loses either of those guys, he should be able to bring in some capable replacements, even if he is forced to spend some of his high round draft picks.
Hey Steve – Yes, many phone booths, warm milk, etc… – the full deal.
Great point about Bergeron. This is a critical season for him – fully recovered from his injury and starting the season strong. This will dictate whether he stays with the Bruins long term.
You make a good point about the Bruins being able to spend the draft picks. Only thing there, if they play their cards right and keep the four 1st round picks they have over the next two years, they can end up being a strong team for years to come (like Ottawa was, or Detroit to an extent).
Chiarelli has never looked so good as he does in that picture. He must’ve got that suit from the same place I shop, and not Burgundy’s fav spot, the Salvation Army.