With a disciplinary hearing just hours away, it seems to be a foregone conclusion that Zdeno Chara will receive a suspension for his hit on Max Pacioretty. Whether it's a one-game or five-game penalty, the Bruins simply won't be able to replace Chara.
The 6-foot-9, 255-pound captain logs nearly 26 minutes of ice time every night, playing on the top pair at even strength, on the man advantage and on the penalty kill. His plus-21 rating is tied for 13th-best in the NHL and eighth among defensemen. Chara may not be the team's MVP in the traditional sense, but he is perhaps the Bruins' most important player.
With Andrew Ference sidelined with a groin injury and Steven Kampfer still dealing with the lingering effects of a concussion, the B's are now in a bit of a blue-line bind. Here's a quick look at some of the options the B's have in Providence.
Boris Valabik
The towering defenseman was acquired with Rich Peverley in the trade with Atlanta that sent Blake Wheeler and Mark Stuart to the Thrashers. At 6-foot-7, 245 pounds, Valabik could replace Chara's size, but not much else. In 80 career NHL games, he has zero goals and seven assists to go with a minus-14 rating. His most impressive number comes in the penalty-minute department (210), but the Bruins will need a D-man to be on the ice and not in the box.
Andrew Bodnarchuk
The 22-year-old saw NHL action with the Bruins last April, registering an average of about seven minutes of ice time in five games. He registered no points and a minus-2 rating. This year in Providence, he has no goals, 12 assists and a minus-16 rating. However, he may not be an option for Boston, as he was handed a three-game AHL suspension on Wednesday, according to The Providence Journal.
Yury Alexandrov
The young Russian may be the best option to get the call. In his first season on American soil, the 22-year-old has five goals and 11 assists. He was drafted by the Bruins 13 spots ahead of Milan Lucic in the second round of the 2006 draft. At 6-feet, 186 pounds, he's a bit undersized, but his speed and passing are said to be his greatest assets.
Colby Cohen
Is the former BU Terrier ready for another game at the TD Garden? Maybe. Cohen was acquired by Boston in the Matt Hunwick trade, and he's posted solid numbers in Providence (1-8-9 with a plus-3 rating). He possesses decent size at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, and he's already gotten his feet wet with three NHL games for Colorado back in November.
Alain Goulet
A lesser-known name, Goulet has played in just three AHL games this season. Prior to joining the team, he played 43 games in the ECHL, posting 4-15-19 totals. He already has a goal, three assists and a plus-4 rating in Providence.
