Rumour: Chara could sit out 2020-21 NHL season in protest!

We still have no clue what the 2020-21 season in the National Hockey League is going to look like, however, it sounds like if the format is too different from what we can usually enjoy, the campaign will take place without Zdeno Chara. 

The giant defenseman is an unrestricted free agent who isn’t willing to retire yet. While most folks assume that he will eventually re-sign with the Boston Bruins to finish his career in the black and yellow jersey, Pierre LeBrun mentioned on Thursday’s Insider Trading that Chara could choose to step away from the NHL next season if the format is too dangerous or different for his family. 

And that despite several teams getting in touch with the veteran blue liner to get him on their roster. 

“I asked his agent Matt Keator on Thursday for an update and specifically asked ‘Hey, like I’m hearing that you know, it may not necessarily be Boston as a slam dunk if he decides to play another season.’ And Keator’s answer was “looking at all options.” Now, I have to say that the Bruins are probably the frontrunner but other teams keep calling. The key thing that Keator said is that Zdeno Chara is in no hurry, he wants to take his time. And one thing he mentioned is the format for next season is of particular interest to Chara. He’s got a young family, there’s a lot of factors to consider whether he jumping back in for another season, depending on how next year looks like. Bottom line is right now big Z is in a holding pattern.”

It is too early to tell if the format of the next NHL season will be too much for Chara and his family to handle. Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley recently talked about an all-Canadian Division in the upcoming season, while another owner believes there might not be a 2020-21 NHL season at all. 

Times are too uncertain at the moment and that’s probably why big Chara refuses to make a rushed decision.