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Would Zdeno Chara Leave Boston? Would the Bruins Let Him?

Captain Zdeno Chara wants to return to the Boston Bruins for his 15th season with the team. Why is there any hesitation by Boston?

This one’s a bit hard to believe. The Boston Bruins and Zdeno Chara can’t seem to come to an agreement that would return the Bruin’s 43-year captain back for his 15th season with the team and his 23rd season in the NHL. We’re past the point where Chara has to prove himself, aren’t we?

Related: Chara’s Agent Confirms Bruins Aren’t Slam Dunk for D-Man’s NHL Return

The Bruins and Chara continue to talk; however, so far – nothing. No agreement even that there should be a new contract, it seems. I have no idea what Boston’s thinking on this one: it seems like a no brainer to me.

Right Now, Who’s Better than Chara?

As I look around the NHL at what’s left to sign as free-agent defensemen, perhaps you can find someone marginally better than Chara – although I don’t think so. Here’s who I see left: Sami Vatanen, Travis Hamonic, Dmitry Kulikov, Derek Forbort, Andy Greene, and Cody Ceci. Who on this list is better for the Bruins than the captain?

But even if you could find someone marginally better, your captain who’s been with the team for 14 seasons wants to return; and, you’re hesitating?

The 43-year-old Chara became a free agent early in October but has made it clear that he wants to return to Boston for his 15th season. That seems enough for me.

The Steps Along the Path of Negotiations

Here’s what’s gone on as far as I can read. First, Boston general manager Don Sweeney reported a couple of weeks ago that he had “met with Zdeno. Had conversations, have continued to have conversations so that we have to be on the same page as we move forward.”

Zdeno Chara Boston Bruins
Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins

He added, “We’ve conveyed where we are with that and we’re going to continue to have communication with him and (Chara’s agent) Matt Keator… We’ve just had really broad-based discussions on everything. Not really going to leave any stone unturned in terms of where are we. We’ve looked at that as part of our roster assessment and making sure we communicate effectively with a very important part and leader of our hockey club.”

Am I reading Sweeney’s sentence that includes the phrases “part of our roster assessment” and the Bruins are “making sure we communicate effectively” with Chara who, Sweeney admits, is an “important part and leader of our hockey club.”

Could that be double-speak that suggests we’re trying to find out if we really want you as part of our team – “roster assessment;” but, we don’t want to offend you – so we want to “communicate effectively.” It’s hard to say what’s really going on here.

What Chara Brings to the Ice and the Dressing Room

Chara is 43 years old, that’s true. And, for a mere human that might seem a bit too old to be an effective hockey player. But Chara is no mere human – he’s Chara.

Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins

First, he’s 6-foot-9 and weighs 250 pounds – he’s big. Second, Chara is only the third European-born NHL player to captain his team to a Stanley Cup (the other two are Nicklas Lidstrom and Alex Ovechkin) – he’s a leader. Third, Chara speaks seven different languages fluently – these include Slovak, Czech, Polish, Russian, German, Swedish, and English – he’s smart. Fourth, as captain of the Bruins, he’s set the culture of the dressing room in particular ways: for example, he doesn’t allow hazing of rookies – he has character.

Chara’s different – in good ways. Finally, Chara’s still a valuable member of the Bruins’ defensive corps. In fact, if the Bruins don’t know that, Chara’s agent Matt Keator keeps making it clear that other NHL teams still regard him a viable and want him on their teams.

The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun tweeted that report last week.

Where Are We Now with Chara’s Moving?

Is Chara actually considering other NHL teams? It seems he is and that he might take his time deciding what he wants to do. He might have only scored five goals and 14 points last season, but his wide wingspan takes up a lot of space on the ice. Scoring or not, he’s effective.

Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins

In today’s edition of TSN’s Insider Trading, Pierre LeBrun reported that Chara’s agent Matt Keator announced that Chara was “looking at all options.” LeBrun noted that the Bruins were still the front-runner to sign Chara, but other teams continue to call.

The 43-year-old is taking his time before he makes a decision and is considering all aspects within the context – including the schedule and format for whatever a 2020-21 season might look like.

Related: The Latest on Mike Hoffman: Will it be the Boston Bruins?

Chara only scored five goals and nine assists in 68 games in the 2019-20 season, but Bruins’ head coach Bruce Cassidy must think he’s still effective. Chara averaged more than 21 minutes TOI each game. 

If I’m the general manager of the Bruins, four things would jump to my consideration. First, Torey Krug is gone. Second, Chara wants to return. Third, are there a lot of other good defensemen out there that I’ve somehow missed? And, finally, if the Bruins don’t sign Chara, what does that say to other players about the loyalty of the team to its players?

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