Zdeno Chara already defied all expectations in 2019-20 by continuing to play an everyday role with the Boston Bruins at the age of 43. Now he says he has more to give.
The idea that Chara could leave the Bruins seemed unthinkable a few months ago, but it happened and it's because he is not ready to settle into a reserve role. He wants to play.
In a video conference on Thursday, Chara revealed that the reason he ultimately chose to leave Boston is because of the role the team laid out for him going forward.
"As the conversations progressed toward the end it was very clear to me that I would not be in the starting lineup for the season, or starting some games or playing some back-to-back games and I would be more in a reserve type of player," Chara said. Download and subscribe to the Capitals Talk Podcast
After 14 seasons in Boston, Chara did not have a bad word to say about the team or general manager Don Sweeney. Chara respected the direction the team wanted to go, but decided he could not accept the role the team envisioned for him.
"I believe that Don Sweeney negotiated in good faith and I really appreciate the way everything was communicated to me and it was very open to me," Chara said. "We had a number of conversations, made it clear what conditions and what role I would be taking with the organization if I were to return, but I just felt that what was presented to me and the conditions that were attached to it, I just felt like I had more to offer and I respect their decisions and wish them the best, but I just felt like I could still play regularly and play the games and I have no issues with them going a different direction.
"I just felt like for me at this point in my career, it is better if I continue to play.”
Make no mistake, Chara is not coming to Washington so he can be parked on the taxi squad. But he also knows that if he wants a regular spot in the lineup, he will have to earn it.
“Nothing is guaranteed in Washington," Chara said.
Chara was adamant that no role had been promised to him by the Caps and that he was coming in to compete.
It is fair to wonder just what a 43-year-old who will turn 44 in March can offer an NHL team. But Chara averaged over 21 minutes in 68 games for the Bruins in 2019-20 and he still feels he has more left in the tank for another season.
While an everyday role may not be guaranteed with the Caps, neither is a reserve one. That was the difference between Washington and Boston.
"I had a conversation with Peter Laviolette and we just generally touch on where the team is at, where we want to be and how we want to get there," Chara said. "But there's no specifics, there's no guarantee. I just want to have a fair chance and compete with the guys for the Stanley Cup."
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December 30, 2020 at 03:00PM
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Chara felt he 'had more to offer' than the reserve role Boston envisioned - NBC Sports
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