Intensely Proud Chara Out to Prove, 'I Can Still Play'

In a news conference Thursday afternoon, Chara said all the right things about the Bruins, reiterating that he respects their decision and that he believes GM Don Sweeney negotiated in good faith and communicated his thoughts to Chara clearly and openly.
As the conversations progressed, it became clear to Chara that he would not be an everyday player with the Bruins, probably not starting the season in the lineup and not playing in back-to-back games, of which the Bruins have seven in this compressed season.
“I just felt that what was presented to me and what conditions were kind of attached to it…I just felt that I had more to offer,” Chara said.
For his part, Sweeney said Thursday that he could not make Chara, “a categorical promise,” that he would have the same role he has had in the past for the Bruins.
It appears that the Capitals did not do that either since Chara said nothing is guaranteed in Washington as far as ice time and role are concerned, but he likely wouldn’t have signed there if the Capitals weren’t at least prepared to give him an opportunity to prove that he belongs among their top six defensemen.
“We were in that pause when we usually start the season and I think that time was a time where I decided that if I start skating and going back to training, I will be quickly honest with myself in case there is some sort of questioning or hesitation about going on the ice and doing all my routines,” Chara said.
Right up to last season, Chara was still logging 20-plus minutes a game in ice time and was just outside the top 10 in shorthanded time on ice per game at 3:11 – which, ironically, tied him with Siegenthaler in that category.