The Boston Bruins have decided to keep around one of their franchise greats, inking Zdeno Chara to a one-year extension worth $5.0MM. The deal also includes up to $1.75MM in performance bonuses, something that can only be added for a player of his age on a one-year contract. Chara was set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st.
Chara, 41, has had an outstanding season not only for his age, but as a pure defenseman. The hulking Boston captain can still get around the ice well enough to use his huge reach and strength to move players off the puck, and he’s routinely shown off his elite conditioning by logging extremely long shifts on the penalty kill and leading the team in minutes played. His 23 per night is still almost an entire minute longer than 20-year old partner Charlie McAvoy.
With the season he’s put together, it’s easy to see why the Bruins handed him an extension, and one that will actually see him collect a bigger paycheck. Because of the front-loaded nature of his last contract, and a quirk in the old CBA, Chara earned just $4.0MM this season and carried the same cap hit. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reports that the performance bonuses are based around games played and playoffs, meaning it’s reasonable to believe Chara will earn even more than $5.0MM when it is all said and done.
Chara has always maintained that he wanted to stay with Boston, but there would have been ample interest in him had he hit free agency. Even as a player in his forties, Chara could have an immediate impact on any defense corps around the league. We ranked him 18th in our Midseason UFA Power Rankings, due to his age, but even at the time it seemed unlikely he would sign somewhere else.
The extension gives the Bruins six defensemen—Chara, McAvoy, Torey Krug, Adam McQuaid, Kevan Miller and Brandon Carlo—under contract for next season, with Matt Grzelcyk under control as a restricted free agent. That group is good enough to go with to start 2018-19, but don’t expect Boston to sit on their hands in free agency. For a team that believes they can win the Stanley Cup, adding more defensive help is still always a consideration.
In that way, Chara’s role may be reduced next season, which should actually frighten Atlantic Division foes even more. As his body inevitably slows down, less responsibility actually could produce better results on a short term basis. Chara routinely faces some of the strongest competition on the team, something that may change as other, younger options become more and more adept. For now, he’ll remain the top shutdown option on Boston, a legendary penalty killer, and one of the most recognizable players in the NHL.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
When he first got here I hated him he was always coughing up the puck and making poor decisions but now he’s awesome and a lot better puck handler (also a really nice guy)
One of the best Bruins, I was shocked when he signed here way back when. So glad he’s sticking around another year. Hopefully he stays long enough to retire a Bruin
Excellent deal!!!
To be logging more than 23 minutes at age 41 in a sport as physical as hockey is pretty mind boggling. The company that manufacturers ENSURE should seriously consider getting Chara into their ad campaigns.
So much respect for Chara and his career. Glad to see him going back to Boston. Can’t wait for more battles at MSG with my Rangers.
The Rangers are surrounded by so many strong teams in their own division now that they probably won’t have the luxury of engaging in fierce battles with Chara and the Bruins.