Boston Bruins Rumors: Teams interested in Zdeno Chara, more on contract situation

With Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara still being an unrestricted free agent, there have been at least three teams rumored to have interest in his services.

Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara is still unsigned and it remains unclear if he’ll be returning for a 15th season in Boston. At 43 years old, Chara has lost a step, but he is still a cheap, viable option for several teams.

According to a recent article by NHL Trade Talk based on reports by Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now, there are at least three teams interested in signing the veteran defenseman.

3. Zdeno Chara has interest from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

It’s scary to think that Zdeno Chara, the face of the Bruins over the past 15 years, could be headed to Boston’s archrivals the Toronto Maple Leafs.

However, this scenario seems very unlikely with the Leafs projected to have absolutely no cap space left at this moment. Additionally, Toronto is currently set on the left side of their defense with Morgan Reilly, Jake Muzzin, and Travis Dermott.

2. Zdeno Chara has interest from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Once again, Chara is receiving interest from another Atlantic Division rival. Only this time, it’s the almighty, 2019-20 Stanley Cup Champions Tampa Bay Lightning.

But just like the Maple Leafs, the Lightning don’t seem to have the cap room to fit Chara. With just under $3 million left in cap space and having restricted free agents (RFAs) defenseman Mikhail Sergachev and center Anthony Cirelli to sign, it seems close to impossible that Chara heads to Tampa.

Furthermore, the Lightning are already loaded with left-shot defenseman possessing the talents of Victor Hedman, Ryan McDonagh, Braydon Coburn, and Sergachev. They have no need for Chara and should focus on acquiring another right-shot D-man.

1. Zdeno Chara has interest from the New York Islanders.

Originally drafted by the New York Islanders in the third round (56th overall) of the 1996 NHL Draft, but then traded to the Ottawa Senators in 2001 by the then general manager of the Isles the infamous Mike Milbury, this would be a reunion every Islanders fan would want to see.

However, just like the Leafs and Bolts, the Isles have little to no cap room to fit Chara. The Isles still have to re-sign RFA center Mat Barzal but only have just under $4 million in cap space left.

Furthermore, the Isles reportedly have verbal agreements in place with unrestricted free agents (UFAs) left wing Matt Martin, defenseman Andy Greene, and goalie Cory Schneider.

But unlike the other two teams, the Isles have a need for a veteran left-shot D-man after they traded 26-year-old Devon Toews to the Colorado Avalanche. But the odds are that they’ll be bringing back veteran Greene who they traded for prior to last season’s trade deadline.

Besides these three teams, there are others that have spoken to Chara and his agent. However, these are the only ones that have been said by name.

Why hasn’t Zdeno Chara re-signed with the Boston Bruins yet?

According to recent reports by Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now, the B’s and Chara are “far apart” in regards to contract talks. However, this isn’t because Boston has no interest in their captain.

Instead, Chara and his agent said that he is taking things slowly as they await the news on the format of the 2020-21 season.

With this noted, I wouldn’t be too worried about Chara signing with another team. I think he’ll be back for a 15th season with the Bruins in 2020-21 at the league minimum.