Zdeno Chara Not Focused On Future Ahead Of Stanley Cup Playoffs

On Friday, Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug acknowledged the fact that this could be his final run with the club. A pending unrestricted free agent, talk of Krug leaving in the offseason has run rampant for over a year. On Saturday another pending UFA defenseman and leader, Zdeno Chara, was less open about his future.

Chara, who turned 43 in March, will see his one-year contract come to an end at the conclussion of the postseason. At his age, its possible this could be both his last run with the Bruins and in the NHL. If that is the case, the always professional captain isn’t admitting it.

“I honestly just try to stay where my feet are,” Chara told reporters Saturday morning. “I’m focusing on how I’m going to be playing and performing. I’m open-minded. We’ll see what’s going to happen, but as of right now I’m just really focusing on my performances.”

Chara first signed with the Bruins on July 1st, 2006. Just over 14 years later, the Bruins captain may go down in history as the greatest free agent signing the NHL has ever seen. If he does re-sign with the club for another run, it won’t be on a long-term deal like 14 years ago.

Zdeno Chara has signed one-year contracts in each of the past two seasons. His 2019-20 contact was for $2 million with $1.75 million in performance bonuses.

As for this being the end, well Chara hasn’t put much thought into that.

“No, I don’t think so,” Chara responded when asked if he has something in mind for his post-playing career. “It’s something I will probably have enough time to think about once I make that decision.”