The Rumor Chart goes up later today, so stay tuned...one of my favorite days of the year.
There has been plenty of speculation over the last few weeks regarding a player once believed to be untouchable: Zdeno Chara.
I have heard three teams to date: LA Kings, Edmonton Oilers, and the Capitals.
I talked to a source this morning regarding this rumor and he was definitive...
Text: Yes Chara could be on the move soon, but remember this is entirely up to Chara. He will only accept a trade if he believes in the team he is going to...or he could be assured of a long term deal. Probably more likely Chara would be looking for both hope now and a few years for the future...
Let's look at the teams interested.
LA Kings...
The Kings are off to a fantastic start and Chara's good friend and fellow countryman, Marian Gaboràk, is slated for a return as early as the Kings next game...tomorrow in Detroit. The Kings need help on the D-end and it would be fascinating to see the big guy in the West...Coach Stevens also LOVES big defenders....
The Capitals...
The Caps are gearing towards beating one team. And I don't need to tell anyone out there who...In Chara's career he has faced the Penguins in 68 games and is a +15. Of all the teams in the NHL that is Zeno's 5th best Plus/Minus, and the best of any team NOT in his division.....quite simply Chara gets up for the Penguins and rises to the challenge. How has Chara fared versus the Pens in the playoffs? Well the last time the two met Chara absolutely dominated them...In 2013 the Bruins swept the Penguins in 4 games, and outscoring the Pens 13-2...
The Oilers...
Chiarelli and Chara have been partners in crime since the Ottawa days...You know he would love to have Zdeno in Edmonton and to do so sooner than later to help get Edmonton back into this race...
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— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) August 2, 2017