in comments published Saturday. "No rush."
Chara had 14 points (two goals, 12 assists) and was plus-8 in 72 games this season for New York (37-35-10), which was fifth in the Metropolitan Division and did not qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He agreed to a one-year contract with the Islanders on Sept. 18, 2021, and was the oldest active player competing in any of the top five major professional sports leagues in North America (NHL, NFL, NBA, MLB, MLS).
Chara has 680 points (209 goals, 471 assists) and is plus-301 in 1,680 regular-season games for the Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals. He set the record for most NHL games played by a defenseman, passing Chris Chelios at 1,652 when the Islanders lost 4-3 in a shootout to the San Jose Sharks on Feb. 24.
Chara has 70 points (18 goals, 52 assists) and is plus-49 in 200 playoff games. He won the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011 and was their captain for 14 seasons (2006-20).
He scored at 19:16 of the third period in New York's season finale, a 6-4 home loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 29. Fans serenaded him with chants of "Char-a! Char-a!" and the Tampa Bay players stayed on the ice after the game to shake his hand, with the Islanders sending him through a handshake line.
"It just completely unexpected and it was just amazing feeling obviously to have that support from the fans," said Chara, who played his first four NHL seasons for the Islanders after they selected him in the third round (No. 56) of the 1996 NHL Draft. "I can't really describe it. I was getting chills. It was a spectacular moment and I'll cherish that for the rest of my life. You know, very classy. Amazing."
The 2022-23 regular season will begin Oct. 11 in North America, with training camps opening in September. The Nashville Predators and Sharks will play two regular-season games in the 2022 NHL Global Series at O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic, on Oct. 7 and 8.
