Brad Marchand gets emotional, speaking on possible retirement of teammate Zdeno Chara

The Boston Bruins are done for the year. Last night, the Tampa Bay Lightning secure their spot in the Eastern Conference Final with Victor Hedman scoring the second overtime period game winning goal.

For man of the Bruins players, this is just another season ending. But for Zdeno Chara, this might have been his last game.

The 43-year-old Slovakian defenseman has been with the Bruins as captain for 14 straight seasons, skating in more than 1,500 games in his NHL career.

“I haven’t made a decision. I obviously just finished the game and I’ll be open-minded,” Chara said post-game.

“I’m very proud of the group. Hopefully this will make this group stronger and more resilient for the future playoff runs. They left it out there and played with their heart”.

Several of the Bruins’ players have spent many years together with Chara. For Brad Marchand, saying goodbye to his captain would be tough.

“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.”

It really doesn’t matter what Chara decides for next season. No matter what, he will forever be a legend in Boston.

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