The Boston Bruins' 2019-20 season is over, which means Zdeno Chara's illustrious B's career may be too.
Chara and the Bruins were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 3-2 double-overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday night. It may have been Chara's final game in Black and Gold as his contract is officially up.
After the game, the 43-year-old addressed his uncertain future.
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"I haven't made a decision. I obviously just finished the game and I'll be open-minded," Chara told reporters.
During Bruce Cassidy's postgame press conference, the Bruins head coach spoke on Chara's situation as well as fellow defenseman Torey Krug's expired contract.
"I don't want to speculate. Those are decisions that will be made by the player, management, obviously going forward," Cassidy said. " I've said all along I'm grateful to have an opportunity to coach Zee. It was early in my NHL career so to speak, later in his playing career so he helped me a lot ...
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"Zee's probably helped me more than I've helped him and with Krug it was a little more of watching him grow and be a bigger part in his development. Both are great Boston Bruins and we'll see what happens down the line."
Brad Marchand heaped praise onto his longtime teammate while reiterating Chara's future is unknown.
"He's an icon in Boston. Who knows what's going to happen," Marchand said after the loss. "He's one of the most, if not the most, driven person I've ever met. ... We have no idea what's going to happen."
No matter what Chara decides, one thing is for certain: No. 33 will always hold a special place in the hearts of Bruins fans.
