Bruins plan on re-signing, not trading captain Zdeno Chara

The Hockey Night in Canada panel discuss the NHL and NHLPA possibly getting rid of the All-Star Game, Jarome Iginla getting an invitation from Hockey Canada and Zdeno Chara.

Zdeno Chara continues to be an important player on the blue line for the Boston Bruins, even at age 40. With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, the Bruins captain’s future is unclear for now.

But, as reported by Elliotte Friedman on Hockey Night in Canada, the Bruins would prefer to re-sign Chara instead of trade him.

“There have been some rumblings that some teams have asked the Bruins about him, would they consider moving him this year,” Friedman said. “(Bruins GM) Don Sweeny said again today that he is not planning on moving him and he does plan on re-signing him.”

For his part, Chara also seems interested in returning to the Bruins beyond this season. In early September he said “I have made no secrets about it. I want to stay here [with the Bruins] and continue to play.

“I definitely want to play beyond this season.”

Chara is entering his 20th season in the NHL and 12th with the Bruins. This season marks the final year of a seven-year, $45-million contract he signed in 2011.

Going into Saturday, Chara has 188 goals and 604 points in 1,353 games.

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