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Chara is not considering leaving Bruins, NHL after the playoffs

Zdeno Chara is not approaching the Stanley Cup Playoffs 2020 as if it were his last.

Chara, who will be an unrestricted free agent after this season, said on Saturday that he had not yet determined when his NHL career would end. Instead, he focuses on the Stanley Cup Qualifiers with the Boston Bruins.

“To be honest, I’m just trying to stay where my feet are,” said the 43-year-old defender. “I focus on how I’m going to play and perform, and I’m open-minded. We’ll see what will happen. But from now on I’m just really concentrating on my performance.”

Chara, the Bruins captain since October 3, 2006, signed a one-year contract in March of the past two seasons – his 2019-20 contact was $ 2 million with $ 1.75 million in performance awards – has not done so yet this season. The NHL season was suspended on March 12 due to concerns about the coronavirus.

The Bruins travel to Toronto, the hub of the Eastern Conference, on Sunday to play against the Philadelphia Flyers (August 2), Tampa Bay Lightning (August 5) and Washington Capitals (August 9) at the Scotiabank Arena -robin to determine the sowing for the playoffs.

On July 30, Boston has an exhibition game against the Columbus Blue Jackets (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, TVAS, FS-O, NESN, NHL.TV).

Chara had an average ice age of 21:01 in his 22nd NHL season, the lowest since his first full season (18:54) with the New York Islanders in 1998-99. He remains one of the best shutdown defenders in the NHL, scoring 14 points (five goals, nine assists) and playing in the top pair Charlie McAvoy, Part of a defense that allowed an NHL low of 2.39 goals per game.

Forward Brad Marchand, who has been with Chara for eleven seasons, said he doesn’t see him out of the game that quickly.

“I really don’t,” said Marchand. “He just seems like this guy who will play forever. I think you get a feel for when a guy will wrap it up and he just doesn’t have that attitude.”

Chara continues to impress his teammates with his commitment on the ice and in the weight room.

“He’s still doing more than everyone else,” Marchand said. “He still wants to win more than anyone else … Whenever it comes up, he always talked about it [playing] more years and play [until] He is 70, which I think is two years away.

“So yes, I really don’t. I think he will play longer and he has a lot more to give. He is still one of the best defenders in the league. So I can’t see him go away.” Game yet. “

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