NHL fans were stunned to learn Bruins legend Zdeno Chara is leaving Boston

Welcome to DC, Big Z

An unpredictable NHL year got even wilder with Boston Bruins legend and unrestricted free agent Zdeno Chara signing a one-year, $795,000 contract with the Washington Capitals.

First reported by The Hockey News’ Ken Campbell, Chara, who spent the last 14 years in Boston, confirmed the move on his Instagram.

“I want to first of all thank the passionate and loyal Bruins fans, who shared the ups and downs of each season over the past 14 years,” Chara wrote.

After being unable to reach a deal with Boston, the stalwart veteran, who, at 43, is the oldest player in the league, will start his 23rd year in the NHL with the Capitals. Chara was clear to note that the decision to move on came from the Bruins.

“Recently, The Boston Bruins have informed me that they plan to move forward with their many younger and talented players and I respect their decision. Unfortunately, my time as the proud Captain of the Bruins has come to an end,” Chara wrote.

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Chara has played 1,023 games with Boston since 2006. He had 148 goals and 333 assists and led the Bruins to three Stanley Cup Finals, winning a championship in 2011.

In DC, the veteran defenseman will join a solid blue line that includes John Carlson, Dmitry Orlov, Brenden Dillon, Justin Schultz, Michael Kempny, Nick Jensen and Trevor van Riemsdyk.

“We are extremely pleased to have Zdeno join the Capitals organization,” Capitals GM Brian MacLellan said in a statement. “We feel his experience and leadership will strengthen our blueline and our team.”

Chara leaving Boston is the end of an era, and NHL fans processed the news with mixed emotions.


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As with all things, it’s sometimes best to let Doc Emrick take over. Here he is talking about Chara’s legacy after the Bruins loss to Tampa Bay in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“The humanity this guy has, over his span of time in Boston, he’s reached out to oppressed groups, he’s made donations of time and food and clothing as a lot of guys do, but if he were coming to your home for dinner tomorrow night, he’d want to talk about you and your family and not himself. He’s a good soul and..a gallant player.”