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Defenseman Zdeno Chara returns to the squad he started his legendary 23-year NHL career with. The 44-year-old has signed a one-year contract with the New York Islanders, the team announced on Friday, the terms of which are not disclosed.
Seven-time 2008-09 Norris Star and Trophy – awarded to top defenseman in the NHL – winner, Chara last played for the Islanders in the 2000-01 season. But with 20 years of spring cleaning up, Chara still hasn’t thrown away his old Islanders jerseys. New York justified its decision to keep them by signing him again.
“I had to dust them off,” Chara, a 1996 Islanders third-round pick, wrote of his Islanders jerseys on Instagram, “but of course they still look good!”
Chara flourished in Ottawa after the Islanders traded him, making all-star appearances in two of his four years with the Senators. The Slovakian native then signed with the Bruins in 2006, instantly becoming the Boston captain and holding the position during his 14 years with the team. Chara led the Bruins to their sixth Stanley Cup victory in 2010.
In his nearly quarter-century NHL career, Chara played 1,608 games and scored 666 points (207 goals, 459 assists) for the Islanders, Senators, Bruins and Washington Capitals. Chara spent his only season with Washington in 2020-21, recording 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in 55 games.
Chara’s decision appears to be something of an insurance policy for the Islanders, who traded fellow defenseman Nick Leddy to the Detroit Red Wings – in exchange for forward Richard Panick and a second-round pick – in July.
Chara brings back rich experience and production to New York City, as he ranks first in over / under (+293) and second in games played (1608) among active NHL players. He also brings height – and a ton – as the 6-9, 250-pound Slovakian is the tallest player in NHL history.
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