[habernac]

Originally Posted by BigTuna

Chara is rated based on past performance. Anyone watch him last season? He has lost a massive step. He was a pylon in the playoffs. Subban destroyed him.

And Vlasic as a top 10 D-Man? yeesh.

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

Chara has lost a step, but even with that missing step is still a top-10 defenceman in the NHL.

Originally Posted by Ulrith

Chara also had 2 broken fingers including a compound fracture in his pinky finger

I agree he was also more sluggish than normal, but come on, how do you even hold a stick with that?

I wonder if the Olympic travel, play, etc, caught up to him late in the season. He certainly looked like a mere mortal in the playoffs. When David Desharnais can go into the corner with you and come out unscathed with the puck, there's something wrong.