Technically new Bruins G.M Peter Chiarelli still works for Ottawa, and maybe that Ottawa connection helped him make his first big free agent splash for the bruins. The Bruins signed former Ottawa Senator Zdeno Chara one of the top 5 defensemen in the league to a 5 year deal. Chara had 46 points last year, is a solid on D, finished fourth in Norris Trophy voting, and is a massive 6’9”. This is the first time I can remember the Bruins signing a quality player in his prime. Usually we wait until they are over the hill like Brian Leech or Martin Lapoint or on crack like Kevin Stevens.

Update: The Bruins also just signed Marc Savard from ATL. This is another signing that I could not see happening under the old regime.  Savard is in his prime at 28 years old and had 97 points last year. Chiarelli has already done for the Bruins then Mike O'Connell did his entire tenure here and Chiarelli is not even on the job yet.