Chara announced his retirement Tuesday and will sign a one-day contract to end his career as a Bruin.
Chara spent 24 seasons in the NHL in which he logged 1,680 games and generated 680 points plus another 70 points in 200 postseason contests. The 2009 Noris Trophy winner secured his only Stanley Cup championship back in 2010-11 as a member of the Bruins, for whom he played the bulk of his career. With his retirement, Chara is the last member of the 1996 Draft class to hang up his skates.
Chara finished what could be the last season of his Hall of Fame career with two goals, 12 assists, and a second-best team rating of plus-8.
Chara has yet to decide on whether or not he will retire. The Islanders probably asked too much of the 45 years old to play almost 19 minutes of hockey each game this season. If Chara were to decide to return next season, it's unknown at this time if the Islanders would be interested in an encore.
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Islanders' Zdeno Chara: May have played final game
Rotowire
Chara scored a goal in the final minute of a 6-4 loss to Tampa Bay on Friday. It may have been his final game in the NHL.
The arena erupted when he scored from the point. Fans chanted his name through a timeout and to the end of the game. And when the horn went, he was mobbed by his teammates and every member of the Lightning skated over to shake his hand. "All that that says volumes about what he's accomplished as a human being in this game," said coach Barry Trotz in the postgame presser. "If he continues to play, which he can, we'll be better for it. And if he decides that he's going to spend time with his family, he's left the game in a great spot." Chara started his career on Long Island and has played in 1,680 games, delivering 209 goals, 471 assists and 680 points.
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Islanders' Zdeno Chara: Returning Thursday
Rotowire
Chara (illness) will play against visiting Washington on Thursday.
Chara sat out Tuesday's game in Washington with the illness, but he's ready to return. Three of the 45-year-old's 13 points in 2021-22 have come in his last seven games played, and though it's unknown whether Chara will retire after this season, he isn't expected to return to the Islanders once free agency opens.
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Islanders' Zdeno Chara: Unavailable Tuesday
Rotowire
Chara (illness) will not play Tuesday against Washington.
Chara has five points over 25 games since his last absence on March 10. The veteran defenseman could return Thursday for a rematch with the Capitals, but more information on his status should be available in the coming days. Robin Salo will take his place in Tuesday's lineup.
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Islanders' Zdeno Chara: Receives award nomination
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Chara was nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy on Monday, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.
The trophy represents perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication. Chara is about to complete his 24th season in the NHL, and although he hasn't made any announcements, these last three games could be his last as an NHL player. Chara has one goal, 13 points and a plus-6 rating in 70 games for the Islanders this season. His actual value, though, will be any knowledge he's passed along to the younger Islanders defenders. Chara is a future Hall of Famer.
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Islanders' Zdeno Chara: Nets first goal of season
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Chara scored a goal on two shots in Thursday's 6-3 loss to Pittsburgh.
The 45-year-old defenseman scored his first goal of the season (and his first for the Islanders in over two decades) with just over a minute remaining in the third period. Chara's days as a 20-30 point defenseman are long behind him, as the goal was his first point since March 26 and only his 11th in 64 games. Still, the 6-foot-9 veteran remains a solid defensive presence, averaging 18:39 per game with a plus-7 rating.
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Islanders' Zdeno Chara: Still goalless
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Chara has yet to score a goal in 60 games this season.
Chara does have 10 helpers with a rating of plus-10 in those 60 games, but he hasn't been able to wrinkle the twine. Chara has only scored 19 goals over his past five seasons, covering a span of 318 games.
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Islanders' Zdeno Chara: Still without a goal this season
Rotowire
Chara has yet to score a goal in 59 games for the Islanders entering the game Tuesday versus the Stars.
Chara hasn't been a true goal-scoring threat in several years as he has only scored in double digits once in the past eight years. Overall, Chara has 10 helpers for the Islander, but more importantly, he does have a rating of plus-9 and has been given credit for helping to bring along Noah Dobson, the team's top defensive prospect.
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Islanders' Zdeno Chara: Yet to find twine
Rotowire
Chara has nine assists and no goals in 49 games this season.
Chara has only scored 12 over the past four seasons, so it's not like he was expected to lead the Islanders' defense in goals, but the fact he hasn't scored once is a little surprising. The only question now is whether or not Chara will remain with the Islanders after Monday's trade deadline. Chara turned 45 on Friday, and though he likely wouldn't bring back a hefty return via trade, he could be valuable to a contender looking for a veteran presence on the bottom pairing.
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Islanders' Zdeno Chara: Off IR
Rotowire
Chara (upper body) was activated off injured reserve Friday.
Chara has missed the last six games while dealing with an upper-body injury that he incurred in a 5-2 loss to Los Angeles on Feb. 26. The 44-year-old has averaged 17:22 of ice time and distributed six assists over his last 15 appearances.
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Islanders' Zdeno Chara: Not quite ready
Rotowire
Chara (upper body) won't play Thursday versus Columbus, but coach Barry Trotz expects the 44-year-old blueliner to return to action Friday against the Jets, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.
Chara may have been able to play Thursday if the Islanders weren't in the front half of a back-to-back set, so he'll wait until Friday to rejoin the lineup to presumably avoid aggravating his upper-body injury. The towering blueliner has tallied eight assists through 45 contests this season.
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Islanders' Zdeno Chara: Could return Thursday
Rotowire
Chara (upper body) might be an option for Thursday's clash with Columbus, Stefen Rosner of NYI Hockey Now reports.
Chara missed the team's last five games due to his upper-body issue but appears poised to get back in action for the Isles' next matchup. The towering blueliner has yet to bend the twine this year while generating just eight assists in 45 appearances. As such, Chara figures to offer minimal fantasy value even once cleared to play.
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Islanders' Zdeno Chara: Designated for IR
Rotowire
Chara (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, retroactive to Feb. 26.
Chara has missed the last three games while dealing with an upper-body injury. His retroactive designation allows him to return as soon as Monday's game against Colorado if Chara's healthy by then. The 44-year-old has averaged 18:15 of ice time and recorded eight points over 45 games this season.
