Zdeno Chara Said NO to Western Conference Team

Free agent Zdeno Chara has lots to consider over these next few weeks as he looks forward to signing a new contract for the 2021-22 season. It turns out the St Louis Blues have not made the cut. The team has been made aware Chara will not be signing a contract with the team.

According to reports, Chara intends on playing next season and it's going to be with an eastern conference team as he's trying to stay close to home to see/be with his family. The 44-year-old defenseman turns 45 in March and will be the oldest player in the NHL by a landslide next season.

Last season Chara suited up for 55 games with the Washington Capitals and after a decades worth of work in Boston, it certainly took some getting used to. Chara's family remain in Bean Town and look for the towering defenseman to land somewhere east in the next few weeks as training camp isn't too far away at all. It's always been family first for Big Z, and you can't blame him for that.

Beyond Chara, a number of other veterans are left on the open market, including Jason Demers, Erik Gudbranson, Jordie Benn, Sami Vatanen, and Braydon Coburn.