Boston Bruins rumors: Ranking teams upcoming free agents

By Sam Minton | Dec 15, 2018

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 8: Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson #23 of the Boston Bruins celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period of the game between the Boston Bruins and the toronto Maple Leafs at TD Garden on December 8, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

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BOSTON, MA – MAY 2: Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

4. Zdeno Chara

Zdeno Chara isn’t getting any younger. That means every season he plays, it is more likely he doesn’t return to the team.

I love Zdeno Chara, but I think this may be the year he either leaves Boston or retires. Chara suffered a major knee injury early on in the season and hasn’t played since November.

As you get older it takes more and more effort to return from these injuries. A 41-year-old defensemen returning with a knee injury doesn’t sound like a player who will do well.

This season Chara is earning $5 million. I don’t think he will be worth that much next season. If I was in the Bruins front office I would want to pay him $3 million max.

Chara is getting slower and struggling to keep up with younger players. It might be time for Boston to move on from the captain.

If Chara is willing to take a team friendly deal that would be great, but if not the Bruins will be fine without him.

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