Report: Blues express interest in Zdeno Chara originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Could Zdeno Chara be on the move to the team that deprived him his most recent chance at a second Stanley Cup?
According to Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic, the St. Louis Blues have expressed interest in signing the former captain of the Boston Bruins to shore up a weakness on their roster.
Chara, the NHL’s oldest player in each of the last two seasons, spent the 2020-21 campaign with the Washington Capitals after a 14-year career in Boston that saw him win the Stanley Cup in 2011 before losing in the Cup Final to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013 and the Blues in 2019.
Former Bruin Joe Thornton agrees to deal with Panthers
St. Louis lost defenseman Vince Dunn to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft and made a failed run at free agent Ryan Suter, who signed with the Dallas Stars.
But Rutherford noted that it remains a “long shot” that the tallest player in NHL history will sign with the Blues, as Chara hasn’t decided on where — or if — he’ll play in 2021-22. Rutherford also said that Chara’s family, which still lives in Boston, remains his top priority, making a signing with an Eastern Conference team more likely.
If Chara joined the Blues, he would be reunited with former Bruins teammate Torey Krug, who St. Louis signed to a seven-year, $45.5 million contract last offseason.
Chara tallied 10 points (two goals and eight assists) in 55 games for the Capitals last season. He averaged 18:19 of ice time per game, which was his lowest mark since 1998-99 — his second season in the league.