Zdeno Chara News

The Islanders have signed Zdeno Chara to a one-year contract.

Chara returns where it all began for him in 1996. Chara was drafted in the third round by the Islanders and played 231 games with them before being traded to the Senators in 2001. Last year, Chara had 10 points (2G / 8A) in 55 games with the Capitals and was able to log over 18 minutes per night at the age of 43. With the Islanders, he will likely be tasked with playing third-pairing minutes next to Scott Mayfield or Noah Dobson.

Zdeno Chara
Chara (broken jaw) will be a game-time decision for Game 5.

Chara missed Wednesday’s practice but was back on the ice for today’s optional gameday skate. Chara was wearing a regular jersey, which is a good sign for his potential availability for Game 5. Matt Grzelcyk (concussion) is also a game-time decision and would likely replace Chara on the top-pair if Chara can’t play.

Zdeno Chara
Chara questionable for Game 5 after taking puck to the face in Game 4.

Chara left Game 4 after being hit in the face by a puck and did not return. Chara returned to the bench for the third period but never took a shift. "Obviously his mouth has some blood and I don't know what's going on in there, but he can barely talk and he's out there supporting us," Brandon Carlo told reporters postgame. Luckily for the Bruins captain, the series will have an extra day off before Game 5 on Thursday.

Zdeno Chara
Chara (undisclosed) will return to the Bruins lineup for Game 1.

Chara missed Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals but the will play in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals vs. the Blues. Chara, who plays a shutdown role for the Bruins, has been on the ice for 12 5v5 goals for and just six against throughout the postseason while playing 22:32 TOI/gm.

Zdeno Chara