The Boston Bruins function on the basis of their brand. They have a storied history, confident veterans, and unmatched strength. Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron, David Krecji, Brad Marchand, and Tuukka Rask are the only boys left standing from the 2011 Stanley Cup run; and they’re still hoisting this roster on their shoulders. The Bruins made another formidable playoff run in 2020, despite the delays and redirections from COVID-19. The 2020-2021 season is significantly delayed, and many players are not making immediate decisions on their participation. One of those? Zdeno Chara.
Chara’s Career: A Storied Tale with Boston
If the Bruins’ bubble loss was Chara’s last game lacing up, he’s leaving behind a legacy in the spoked B. Chara, between 2006 and 2020, played 1,023 out of a possible 1,114 regular-season games, as well as 149 playoff games. He ranks only behind Ray Bourque for most playoff games in Boston history. Chara is one of the most dependable, driven leaders the NHL has ever seen. In 2019, he played through a broken jaw so that he could continue in the Stanley Cup Final series. A BROKEN JAW. I stub my toe and could call 911, while this 43-year-old is leading the B’s blue line in minutes with his face wired-shut.
Hockey players are a different breed.
— #ThankYouDoc (@NHLonNBCSports) April 22, 2020
Never forget Zdeno Chara played through a broken jaw and a lower body injury in the 2019 Stanley Cup Final. ?? pic.twitter.com/97TutgLtU2
Chara not only proved himself as a leader for the locker room, taking on the captainship role just five years after the historic Ray Bourque, but also as a key mentor for the Boston blue line. From the Claude Julien era and onto Bruce Cassidy’s tenure, the Bruins are known to hoard prospects down in Providence. They have unmatched depth, and are prepared to fill roles as players retire and relocate. Many of these players arrive in Boston and have no understanding as to what it takes to play at the NHL-caliber. In comes Chara. He plays a significant role and bringing players, often over 20 years younger than him, into the NHL mold so that they can stand on their own two little baby feet.
43-Years-Old and Looking to 2021
Chara stated after the Bruins’ game 6 bubble loss that he was “open-minded” to a future, and didn’t want to see his career in Boston end. Queue a sigh of relief from Bruins fans. He played this season under a one-year, $2-million dollar contract; a significant pay cut just to remain with Boston, and prolong his career for another year. This hugely speaks to his character as both a leader and a Bruin; he doesn’t want to just pull a Tom Brady, (I’m not still offended or anything) going to another city for year or two of potential success.
The Patriots at 4-6
— Garland Ellis (@garlandellis_) November 24, 2020
Tom Brady with 9 ints this season
Tom Brady and Bill Belichick right now: pic.twitter.com/TmgpuhLirL
What is the Future for the Bruins Defense?
Big Z Signs Another Year
Look, we can all assume that Chara has learned from his fellow historic Bostonian and won’t be signing anywhere else. Operating under that assumption, he won’t sign longer than a year if he decides to return. Although that hurts Bruins fans to hear, the guy’s old. Gordie Howe played to a ripe 52 during his era, but those times have passed. In the last decade, only two players have played to an older age: Jaromir Jagr (45), and Chris Chelios (47). Hockey is an aggressive sport, and it has wear and tear on your body. Even if Chara signs another year, although admirable, there is no guarantee he will be as reliable as he has proven in the past.
Almost half of today's NHL teams didn't exist when Jaromir Jagr was drafted in 1990. pic.twitter.com/NXqXl5Ywv0
— SB Nation (@SBNation) October 2, 2017
Chara Hangs Up His Skates
From a health perspective, it’s difficult to ask Chara to return this season without a bubble in a global pandemic. It’s difficult to ask anyone to do that. But, Chara also barely has a knee left. He’s been such a mainstay for Boston fans that they don’t know a roster without him. However, there is so much young power in this locker room. Torey Krug to the Blues was a HUGE loss for Boston, but the cap space is for the long-game. The Bruins’ defense has Charlie McAvoy, Brandon Carlo, Connor Clifton, Matt Grzelcyk, and more to build the blue line around. Charlie McAvoy already ranks in the top-10 for NHL defensemen, and he’s only been in the league 4 years. It’s best that Chara hangs up his skates. It’s a new era in Boston, and Chara has given so much to the city and the franchise. The worst thing a legend can do is over-stay their welcome and tarnish their legacy with poor play. Thank you Chara, and we look forward to seeing the boys you’ve mentored grow into leaders like you.
