Rumor: Rangers to Offer Chara up to $8 Million

[Cat Smasher]

Sources have told the Ottawa Sun that the New York Rangers are prepared to offer Zdeno Chara upwards of $8 million per season.

As 6'9", 260 pound defenders are an extremely rare commodity (see only one in the NHL), Chara will likely command more than Redden on the open market. The next month will be a crucial time for the Senators management team to deliver on owner Eugene Melnyk's promise to make the team a more serious Stanley Cup candidate.

And on the Redden note.

According to a report in the Ottawa Sun, Senators GM John Muckler will meet with Wade Redden on Thursday to negotiate a long-term deal.

The club can negotiate and sign Redden up until June 15th, after which, the two sides can only communicate, and not sign a contract until after the free agency period begins on July 1st. There has been talk that Redden will command a salary in the $6 million range.

[canuck2]

The Rangers are now on a level playing field with every team. Can they tie up half their payroll on chara and Jagr. I think not.

Jagr greatly limits what the Rangers could do in terms of spending money. They already have the one big superstar, I say get more solid players to surround him.

[kwnger1371]

I expect to see Chara explore free agency Redden might sign but who knows. They are both really good D men That I don't see the Sens getting both back.

[cottonzway]

I think any team will and should pay top dollar for Chara. I would love to see him in Philly, but that isn't happening.

[Viper]

I hear The Sens will make a pitch for Jovo if they cannot sign Chara or Redden.

[forsberg21]

I would like to see Redden or Chara in Colorado. They have the payroll, and the D could use a tune-up.

[Isles4life]

If the Rangers actually offer Chara that much money, it's just getting into the bad habits that made them a terrible, overpaid team for so many years. When they finally stopped overpaying for players who were no longer motivated to play, they actually succeeded. Chara's a good d-man, but he's not an $8 million man.

[JKidd]

Originally Posted by cottonzway

I think any team will and should pay top dollar for Chara. I would love to see him in Philly, but that isn't happening.

C'mon Cotton, you mean to tell me that the Philly faithful isnt happy with the last "big/physical" dman you got, Derian Hatcher?

A deal this big could kill teams that are looking to sign other marquee FA defenseman. As the Brad Richards deal clearly has and will with future major signings in the forward category.

[ValJamesRules]

Isn't he Slovak?? You mean Jagr's going to let him join the team??

Every team would love to have a d-man of his caliber on their blueline. It would be a good move.

[ProbieRules]

This guy is the #1 available UFA on the market IMO...Has improved consistently over the past 5 years, is in his prime, plays a ton of minutes, is a Norris trophy level D-man, and my favorite attribute is his ability to control games with his size / toughness. There are few if any players that have all of those abilities. He's worth the max contract...you build your team around a guy like this.

[bigjack]

Probably over paying if they do that. He's solid but not great.

[spiderarms]

That's how championships are built. Chara is very good, but not $8M worth. What about the money for the rest of the "team"?
History has taught us all these lessons before.

[doaner]

Don't worry, folks. He is gonna be in a Coyotes uniform next season. Guarantee it.

[bengino]

i may not be the biggest Scott Neidermeyer supporter, but he's a premier player and IMO the best defenseman in the league (i don't count Lidstrom on his team of ballerinas). With that said, is Chara worth more then Neids? let's see him lead a team to a cup final first, then compare away.


Also, if the Leafs can resign their top 2 d-men (which isn't saying much) why can't the Sens pull the trick?

[Strife]

Chara is def worth 8 million.. over 2 or 3 seasons.