Cam Neely Named Canadiens’ Biggest On-Ice Villain, But Was Zdeno Chara Worse?

The Athletic recently highlighted the biggest on-ice villain for each NHL franchise, and for the Montreal Canadiens, writer Arpon Basu selected none other than former power forward and current Boston Bruins President, Cam Neely. Neely, who became synonymous with playoff battles against the Canadiens, played a pivotal role in shifting the Bruins’ fortunes against their historic rivals. After the Bruins defeated the Canadiens in the playoffs in 1943, they suffered a staggering 18 consecutive playoff series losses to Montreal until Neely’s arrival allowed them to secure three victories in five encounters between 1987 and 1990. In those 26 playoff games, Neely scored an impressive 20 goals, proving to be a formidable challenge for the Canadiens.

Basu notes that Neely was not just a scorer; he was also a physical presence on the ice, capable of handling himself in fights. While Neely is a valid choice for the title of Montreal’s greatest villain, some might argue that another Bruin, Zdeno Chara, deserves that distinction even more.

Chara’s reputation as a Canadiens nemesis was solidified during a particularly infamous incident in 2011. At the time, Max Pacioretty was emerging as a key player for the Canadiens, but his career was nearly derailed by a brutal hit from Chara. The collision, which sent Pacioretty crashing into the glass between the benches, left the young forward unconscious on the ice. The Bell Centre fell into a stunned silence as fans grappled with the seriousness of the moment. Pacioretty was later diagnosed with a severe concussion and a fractured fourth cervical vertebra, raising concerns about his future in the sport.

What exacerbated the situation for Canadiens fans was the NHL’s decision not to suspend Chara for the hit. Mike Murphy, then the senior vice-president of hockey operations, stated that after reviewing the incident, he found no grounds for supplemental discipline. This ruling, made after a hearing with Chara, further fueled the animosity Canadiens fans felt toward the Bruins captain. From that day forward, Chara became a target of relentless boos whenever he touched the puck at the Bell Centre, a phenomenon that has since been dubbed the ‘Chara treatment.’

Despite the animosity, the knowledgeable Montreal crowd has always recognized talent when they see it. When Chara played his 1,500th career game against the Canadiens at the Bell Centre, he was met with a surprisingly warm reception, including a roaring ovation following a tribute video. For a brief moment, the crowd seemed to set aside their memories of the Pacioretty incident, though the scars of that rivalry remain deeply etched in their minds.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.