An Open Letter to Peter Chiarelli

So, on the eve of the NHL’s free agency, I’m usually pretty excited. As a Bruins fan, July 1 often gives us a chance to better our team into true(r) contenders. Last year, as many B’s fans may remember, Marian Hossa was the big name floating in the rumor mills and on the message boards. Instead? The Bruins put together a 3-year package for a former Hab, Michael Ryder. Thankfully, the deal worked itself out and Ryder proved himself to be a true Bruin. This year, the Bruins will most likely be silent out of the gates well with the Phil Kessel situation still unresolved. This actually scares me. I like when the Bruins are aggressive with signings and team chemistry and all of that, but petrified of when the other shoe will fall and when someone, somewhere screws something up (as a Boston fan, I’m more than used to this). This offseason, right now, the other shoe could potentially fall. Instead of a column, I thought it would be more appropriate to write an open letter to Peter Chiarelli asking him, well, begging him, to not let us (we, the fans) down.

Dear Peter,

Can I call you Chia? Great!

This year, the Bruins silenced a lot of hockey critics and soured fans from years’ past by being a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, capped off by a sweep of the Montreal Canadiens in the first round. As a lifelong fan myself (let’s be honest here), I loved it. I loved every second of it. My team was relevant again and people cared. So first and foremost, thank you.

So now that you’ve built an impressive core of young stars and veteran leaders, a certain chemistry developed. The 2008-09 Bruins had more depth than any Boston team I could remember watching. At many points during the season, I felt entirely comfortable with our fourth line on the ice. I placed my faith in the hands of someone with the last name Bitz and in a goaltender who is a complete head case (a Vezina-award-winning-head-case, I should add). We had guys shaving their heads together and even going on midseason golf and fishing trips together. This team enjoyed one another! And when healthy, in my slightly unbiased opinion, this was a top 3 NHL team. Whatever happens in this offseason, Chia, make sure you keep one thing in perspective: this team’s chemistry should never be messed with.

The first step was re-signing center David Krejci, the second should be re-signing Phil Kessel as long as the contract is within reason. Phil Kessel does not deserve a $6-$7 million a year contract. As one of the biggest Bruins optimists you’ll ever meet, I’m also the most realistic. If Boston can fit Kessel in for $4 million a year over three years, a contract similar to Ryder’s or even Krejci’s, we take it. The Bruins will have to shed some salary which may mean the departure of someone like a Chuck Kobasew or Marco Sturm, but with that freed salary, signing Matt Hunwick and Byron Bitz should be easy. If Kessel is too expensive to re-sign, you should let him walk. Do not overpay Phil Kessel. I repeat, do not overpay Phil Kessel. Plus, who knows what some extra cap room could mean. Brian Gionta would be a good fit playing next to Savard and Lucic and could have the type of resurgence year that Michael Ryder experienced.

Don’t be pressured into making our blue line bigger and badder, either. As long as Steve Montador goes far, far away, we should be fine. Find a cheap, veteran defenseman with little offensive presence but one that packs a big punch on the back end. Mike Komisarek does not fit this mold. Furthermore, if you want to kill any type of chemistry that’s built up with the team, this is an excellent way to crush it and then burn it and then pee on the ashes (yes, it’d be that bad). That should kill any type of “Komi to the B’s!” rumor. Take a look at Mathieu Schneider for said veteran leadership. Shop Ference for a draft pick, if necessary, and see what type of attention Mattias Ohlund is getting. Check out the bargain bins for more blue liners and see what you can come up with. Surprise us! Just don’t screw us.

Lastly, don’t re-sign PJ Axelsson, for one. He might be great on the penalty kill but I’m still convinced he doesn’t know how to take a wrist shot. Or a snap shot. Or a…you get it, the guy can’t shoot the puck. Second, please don’t trade Tuukka Rask. He’s young, fantastic in net, and will be the Bruins starter in two years (yes, I said it, Tim Thomas will be the highest paid backup in the NHL, that’s how good Rask is going to be). Don’t listen to Timmy on this one, Rask, along with Krejci, are the two most important young players on the roster right now. Do whatever they want in order to make them happy.

I think this upcoming season could be great for us. We just have to get through the upcoming three months. Don’t be imitated by the other teams around blowing their farm systems to get big named, washed up vets (cough, Philly, cough, cough, Montreal). We have the team and the chemistry needed to win the Cup. Maybe not this past year, but maybe this year.

Sincerely,

Mike

P.S. Hey Chia, remember what Sean Avery did to Dallas? Komisarek will do that to Boston. Let’s use our heads!

Some Other Articles That You May Enjoy:
Missed Opportunities: Bruins Can’t Deliver on Trade Deadline
Struggling Bruins add Recchi and Montador at the Deadline
New Letters to the Editor Section
An open letter to the Columbus Blue Jackets
Buyers, Sellers or Nothing
#24 Peter Holland – The Hockey Spy’s 2009 NHL Entry Draft Rankings

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