ZDENO CHARA - Defenseman - 41 - $3.375MM Cap Hit - UFA in 2020-2021
LAST UPDATED 1/30/19
The face of the Bruins franchise and tallest player in NHL history, “Big Z” remains an effective NHL defenseman despite being the oldest in the league at 41 years old (he’ll turn 42 in March of this season). Since signing with the Bruins in the 2006 offseason after stints with Ottawa and the Isles, Chara has served as the 19th captain in Bruins history while almost exclusively playing on the top pairing. While Chara’s offense and skating ability have declined since his 37 point campaign in 2015-2016, Chara remains an effective, minutes-eating defensive defenseman and has been a great mentor for younger defenseman like Brandon Carlo, Charlie McAvoy, and Matt Grzelcyk. Also, Chara still possesses his trademark howitzer slapshot, so while his passing may not be what it once was, he is still a threat to score from the blue line on a powerplay. However, given the decline in his skating ability, Chara is most effective in a stay-at-home role. At six foot nine, Chara has the longest stick in the league, giving him great range for poke checks and allowing him to contain opposing breakouts. “Big Z” remains unafraid to hit opposing players, and still fights from time to time. Chara can still log 20+ minutes a night for the B’s while mentoring younger d-men and playing shutdown defense, making him still an effective top-4 defenseman. The question is how much more he has left in the tank before the Bruins inevitably make him the last player to wear #33 for their franchise.
The face of the Bruins franchise and tallest player in NHL history, “Big Z” remains an effective NHL defenseman despite being the oldest in the league at 41 years old (he’ll turn 42 in March of this season). Since signing with the Bruins in the 2006 offseason after stints with Ottawa and the Isles, Chara has served as the 19th captain in Bruins history while almost exclusively playing on the top pairing. While Chara’s offense and skating ability have declined since his 37 point campaign in 2015-2016, Chara remains an effective, minutes-eating defensive defenseman and has been a great mentor for younger defenseman like Brandon Carlo, Charlie McAvoy, and Matt Grzelcyk. Also, Chara still possesses his trademark howitzer slapshot, so while his passing may not be what it once was, he is still a threat to score from the blue line on a powerplay. However, given the decline in his skating ability, Chara is most effective in a stay-at-home role. At six foot nine, Chara has the longest stick in the league, giving him great range for poke checks and allowing him to contain opposing breakouts. “Big Z” remains unafraid to hit opposing players, and still fights from time to time. Chara can still log 20+ minutes a night for the B’s while mentoring younger d-men and playing shutdown defense, making him still an effective top-4 defenseman. The question is how much more he has left in the tank before the Bruins inevitably make him the last player to wear #33 for their franchise.
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