Quoting: ON3M4N
Why do I have to not like something about Chara? For me personally, I hold retiring a number to a high standard. Take someone like Bergeron for example. The guy has spent his entire career in Boston and probably finishes it here. He's a Stanley Cup Champ, 4x Selke winner (could be more before he's done) and the guy could go down as the greatest two-way forward of his generation. On and off the ice Bergeron is a class act (not saying Chara isn't) and while he doesn't wear the "C" for the Bruins, people consider the Bruins as Bergeron's team. Not only that but look at the impact he's had grooming/developing guys like Marchand & Pastrnak.
In Boston, Bergeron is the standard, he's everything anyone wants in a player.
Again not saying Chara isn't a guy like that. I wish I could explain it better, but I honestly can't. Maybe I'm a little biased because Bergeron is my favorite non-goalie player.
Ok but there is not only 1 number being retired. They both can earn it. And trust me, I hold retiring numbers to a high standard as well, that's why I was crapping on some of the players that were mentioned above.
I understand and agree with everything you said about Bergy. Imagine Chara though, he IS the captain and has been a great captain, but people call it Bergy's team? If you were Chara that would hurt a bit. Chara's not a rah rah guy, but neither is Bergy, they both lead by example.
Anyway, they are a close knit bunch right now who look up to each other, they're in a great place. When players like Marchand say that they enjoy just watching great players like Bergy and Chara, that says a lot!!!