For 14 seasons, the big bad Bruins have been lead by a six foot nine beast, Zdeno Chara. The 43 year old defenseman has signed with the Washington Capitals on a one year deal, worth $795,000. The Bruins did offer him a contract, but it was as a seventh defenseman, in a more reduced role. Winning the Cup in 2011, and reaching the Cup Finals three times, Chara is still hungry for more. His role on the Capitals will likely have him playing on their third defensive pair and on the penalty kill, providing his veteran leadership.
In a Zoom chat, Chara said that “I still have gas, and I still want to go out there and do my thing” and that he didn’t want any regrets by not trying to prove it.
Joining the Bruins in July 2006, the big man signed a five year deal. He was named captain of the squad the same season, taking over for Joe Thornton who was traded to the Sharks. Over the next 14 seasons, Zdeno Chara lead the Bruins to a 2011 Stanley Cup win, an appearance in the Cup Finals in 2013 and 2019, as well as holding the record for hardest shot with a stunning 108.8mph, winning the Norris trophy in 2009, Mark Messier Leadership award in 2011, and was introduced to the IIHF All-time Slovakia Team in 2020.
| Regular Season | During Playoffs |
| Games Played: 1,022 | Games Played: 150 |
| Goals: 148 | Goals: 15 |
| Assists: 368 | Assists: 41 |
| Points: 481 | Points: 56 |
| Penalties in minutes: 1,055 | Penalties in minutes: 159 |
With Chara now gone, the longest tenured Bruin defenseman is Kevan Miller, arriving in 2011. Miller has been injury riddled the last few seasons, and his status for the upcoming season is unknown. The second longest tenured Bruin defenseman is Matt Grzelcyk, who arrived in 2012. By losing both Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara, the Bruins lost two veteran defensemen who could help shape and mold an upcoming younger team.
Thank you Zdeno Chara, for all of my hockey life you have been the face of the Boston Bruins I know and love. You didn’t stand for any kind of “rookie hazing” and learned multiple languages so that you could communicate with new teammates and make them feel at home. I will still root for you, as the Washington Capitals will play against the Boston Bruins eight times this upcoming season. I wish you got your storybook ending, going out on top with the Bruins but hopefully we will see you with the Bruins in the future. Lastly, thank you for mentoring players into future leaders, and assuming the Bruins will upgrade Patrice Bergeron to the next captain, you’ve done an amazing job co-leading with him.
Do you think the Bruins will retire #33? Let me know in the comments!
Until Next Time
~RJ
Hybrid Theory Thoughts Blog 