Chara faces decision on surgery

In the games leading up to Boston's 2-1 win over Washington March 8, Zdeno Chara's left shoulder had absorbed some bumps and bruises.

But in the second period against the Capitals, when Chara swung and missed on a one-timer, the captain felt pain deep within the shoulder, which hasn't been right since.

"I felt my AC joint was a little loose and sore," Chara said. "But when I missed that one-time shot, it really felt like there was damage in the shoulder. Ever since then, I was playing with it. It didn't pop out, but it was a weird feeling. Just really sharp pain inside the shoulder."

General manager Peter Chiarelli said yesterday he believes Chara will require surgery. Chara said he hopes to avoid it.

"That's my first priority," Chara said. "Nobody wants to have surgery. But I also have to be smart. There's a fine line. You can avoid it, but running into the same problem next year, I don't want to do that. We're going to have to make a decision and see what's in there."

Chara also played through a hip injury in the middle of the season. He is still hoping to travel to Mozambique in June as an athlete-ambassador for Right to Play, the Canadian humanitarian organization. Chara is also in the running for the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman, which will be awarded in Toronto June 12.

"It's a real thrill," Chara said of being nominated along with Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom and Calgary's Dion Phaneuf. "Obviously, I'm thankful for [our] group of guys. I wouldn't be able to be nominated without them. They really contributed big time."

Wideman hobbled

Dennis Wideman confirmed he was playing with a groin injury for much of the season. He wasn't sure whether he would undergo a procedure.

"Parts of December and January, it was pretty sore," Wideman said of the groin, particularly the right side. "I couldn't really stride and skate full out. I had some bouts where I had more worse days than good days. Those days where it was really tight and really sore, it would take a long time to warm up. But then a week later it would be fine."

Late in Game 1 of the first-round series against Montreal, Wideman took a hit from forward Guillaume Latendresse that hurt the left side of his groin. Wideman had to miss Game 2, but returned for the rest of the series. Wideman said that had it been the regular season, he would have missed seven to 10 days.

Sobotka assigned

Vladimir Sobotka, who was placed on Providence's Clear Day roster Feb. 29, will join the P-Bruins for their playoff push. Providence kicks off the second round against Portland Saturday. Providence swept Manchester in the opening round. Sobotka will most likely be featured among the top six forwards.

"David Krejci had a real solid playoff run last year and really stepped up his game," said Chiarelli. "We talked to David in advance of the playoffs last year, and we talked to Vladi in the same way this morning. We want him to work on elements of his game that he hasn't been able to do up here. He's got some offensive elements to his game. So that's going to be really beneficial to his development."

Petteri Nokelainen may also be assigned to Providence, but he may be called to national duty by Team Finland for next month's world championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Quebec. Phil Kessel (USA) and Krejci (Czech Republic) will also participate in the tournament.

Regan signs

South Boston native Kevin Regan, who closed out his college career at the University of New Hampshire last month, signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Bruins. Regan, 23, set UNH career records in wins (70), save percentage (.928), minutes (6,598:31), and appearances (112). Regan will likely be in Providence next season, serving as Tuukka Rask's backup. Jordan Sigalet, Providence's current No. 2 goalie, will be an unrestricted free agent . . . Also signing yesterday was Levi Nelson, Boston's sixth-round pick in 2006. The 6-foot, 184-pound forward, who inked a three-year contract, will spend next season in Providence . . . The Bruins' only remaining unsigned pick from the 2006 draft is Russian defenseman Yuri Alexandrov (No. 37 overall). Because Russia is not part of the International Ice Hockey Federation transfer agreement, any contract Alexandrov signs is not enforceable by the Bruins, who must sign him by June 1 or he will become a free agent . . . Chiarelli remains hopeful that center Carl Soderberg, who was acquired from St. Louis last summer for goalie Hannu Toivonen and has been playing in the Swedish Elite League, will attend training camp in the fall. "It would be good for him to come over," said Chiarelli. "He's really turned a corner lately."