Zdeno Chara has played alongside Charlie McAvoy on the blueline for a while now, but that is going to change come Friday night when the Boston Bruins take on the Detroit Red Wings.
McAvoy is projected to skate with fellow BU product Matt Grzelcyk, meaning Chara will pair up with 24-year-old Connor Clifton at Little Caesars Arena. Head coach Bruce Cassidy knows Clifton is a physical player, and doesn’t want the young D-man to shy away from that and is hopeful Clifton can get the assertiveness “back in his game.”
âZee and Clifton, havenât seen much yet. So weâll see,â Cassidy said, per Boston Sports Journal’s Conor Ryan. âBut I thought Cliffy brought much more of his style of play the other night (vs. Montreal). âHe was physical, attacking with the puck and itâs something we want to see more out of him. Not reckless and I think he took that message a little too much to heart where he stopped being assertive, so weâre going to try and get it back in his game.â
We’ll soon find out if Clifton will look like his old self and if playing alongside the 42-year-old Chara helps his game.
