Chara not contemplating retirement from Bruins, thinks season will resume

Zdeno Chara isn't considering retiring from hockey at 43 years old with the 2019-20 season on pause since March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.

"Definitely not getting ahead of myself. I'm still in the present and I still believe that we're going to play some sort of hockey this season," the Boston Bruins defenseman told Sportsnet's "After Hours" on Sunday. "That's where I'm at. I'm not getting too ahead of myself. Obviously, I still love the game, I still love going out there and compete, and if everything is right, I still want to play."

Chara is in his 22nd NHL season and has been Bruins captain since Oct. 3, 2006. He signed a one-year contract March 28, 2018, and again on March 23, 2019.

"I think even Zdeno himself has reported that he would like to continue to play," Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said April 10. "The really unique relationship that we have as an organization with Zdeno, and this started a bunch of years ago, but the last three or four in particular, he has exercised the ability to show patience, allow us to plan accordingly and then adjust his own contractual situations. You saw him do two consecutive one-year deals, which was important for us in planning.

"That's an extension of the relationship he and (agent) Matt Keator have afforded us, and his legacy with the organization, how much he wants to continue to play, how much he's motivated to continue to play, allows him to take that time necessary."

Chara has 14 points (five goals, nine assists) and is plus-26 in 68 games for the Bruins (44-14-12), who lead the NHL with 100 points.

"It is one of those situations that you can't really control," Chara said of the season being paused during a video call arranged by the NHL on March 30. "I think that right now we all have to look after each other and after our families. I know it's kind of a cliche answer in these days, [but] I think hockey is secondary.

"But if you have to look at it that way, yeah, it is hard to pause the League at that stage where we were at with few games (12) remaining and so close to the [Stanley Cup Playoffs] and [the] team played well, with confidence. We were obviously at a good pace. But who knows? We can't always wish for the perfect situations.

"Hopefully, we will play again. We'll see when that is going to be."