As training camps get set to open, three of the the game’s most well known defensemen have called it a career on Tuesday morning.

It started with Keith Yandle, followed by Zdeno Chara, and then capped by the stunning announcement from P.K. Subban.

Zdeno Chara retires

In an Instagram post, Chara announced his retirement but will do so first by signing a one-day contract with the Boston Bruins.

“After 25 seasons of professional hockey 1,680 NHL regular season games, 200 Stanley Cup Playoff games, and hundreds of international games I am proud to announce my decision to retire from the National Hockey League,” he said. “In doing so, I am honored to return to TD Garden today to sign a one-day contract with the Boston Bruins and officially finish my career with the team that has meant so much to me and my family. There are so many people that have helped contribute to my success, including all of you, and I look forward to properly thanking everyone this afternoon.”

Chara, 45, started his career with the New York Islanders, who drafted him in the third round in 1996 but emerged as a star after a trade to the Ottawa Senators in 2001. The seven-time NHL All-Star won the 2008-09 Norris Trophy and the 2011 Stanley Cup during his 14-year run as a captain of the Boston Bruins from 2006-2020.

For his career, he’s registered 680 points and 2,085 penalty minutes in 1,680 games with the Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Bruins and Capitals.

P.K. Subban makes stunning announcement

P.K Subban is calling it quits after just 13 NHL seasons. The star defenseman made his announcement on Instagram this Tuesday morning.

“I remember my dreams of playing in the NHL and winning a Stanley Cup, similar to the guys on the Don Cherry Rock’em Sock’em tapes at the end of every volume, with the black eyes, broken bones, and tears of joy. To this day, I still dream about it,” Subban wrote. “However, the end of this chapter is closing and after 13 years in the NHL, I have made the decision to retire.”

Subban, 33, registered 22 points in 77 games for the New Jersey Devils last season. A place he’s called home for the last three years.

The Montreal Canadiens selected P.K. in the second round of the 2007 Draft where he played the first 7 years of his career winning the Norris Trophy in 2013. He was then dealt to the Nashville Predators for Shea Weber and played there for three seasons.

For his incredible career, Subban has amassed 467 points in 837 regular-season games.

Keith Yandle calls it career

Yandle, 36, set the iron man record when he played in his 965th straight game on January 25, 2022 against the New York Islanders in Elmont, N.Y. Doug Jarvis previously held the mark of 964, set from 1975-87 with three different teams. His NHL-record streak came to an end on April 2, 2022 at 989 consecutive games played.

He announced his retirement after 16 NHL seasons on the Spittin Chiclets podcast.

“I’m coming on to let you guys know… I wanted to tell you that I am shutting it down from the game of hockey,” Yandle said. “I’m really at ease with it and looking forward to the next chapter.”

For Yandle’s great career, he competed in 1,109 regular season games after being drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in the fourth round of the 2005 Draft.

Last season, he registered 19 points in 77 games for the Philadelphia Flyers. He ends his NHL run after 16 seasons with additional stops on the New York Rangers and Florida Panthers. The former all-star defenseman amassed 619 points during that span.

Veteran defensemen Zdeno Chara is an interesting name floating around the rumor mill. His agent Matt Keator, who also represents Chris Kreider and Adam Fox, may opt to give the Rangers a call if his client feels up to it for next season.

“He’s going to take the summer with his family and assess where he’s at physically, where his family’s at, and make a decision in September,” Keator told the Boston Globe. “No rush.”

via Sportsnet

One team he won’t be playing for are the New York Islanders, where he called home last year.

Lou Lamoriello stated on Monday that there have been no discussions with either him. He also added that there isn’t a fit with the defense basically set after signing Noah Dobson and Alexander Romanov.

With the Rangers rumored to be in the market for a veteran lefty to possibly play with Braden Schneider, should the Rangers give him a look?

Zdeno Chara a Rangers option?

A recent article by Larry Brooks of the NY Post, suggested that GM Chris Drury may be in the market for a veteran left defenseman in the $800,000 range.

Gallant likes size, we all know that, and he doubly likes size on the back end, we all sure know that. Which is why the club’s options for the third-pair left defenseman assignment that appears to be between Zac Jones and Libor Hajek — a healthy scratch 60 times, for goodness sakes — are so intriguing. Will there be a push to add an $800,000-type veteran during camp if the coach is not enamored with what he sees?

NY Post

Chara, 45, registered 14 points in 72 games for the Isles during the 2021-22 campaign. The ageless wonder could be a cheap option if Drury isn’t comfortable with two young defensemen in the 6th and 7th position.

Last season, Chara’s base salary was $750,000 with performance bonus potential that was able to double it.

Zac Jones should truly be given a chance at the starting role. The 21 year-old is in the final year of his entry-level deal that comes with a low cap hit of $925,000. He’s shown he has the ability to play in the NHL using his high hockey IQ to compensate for his size at 5-11, 185lbs.

Currently, Libor Hajek has the inside track as the 7th defenseman. If Chara is up for joining the team as an insurance policy, I’m all for it. Should Chara be looking to be an everyday player, the Rangers should pass.

For what’s it worth, the Rangers tried to get Chara to sign with them in 2020.

World Cup of Hockey coming back

In 1996, the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) put together the inaugural World Cup of Hockey. This tournament would take the place of the Canada Cup which ran from 1976-1991 and saw Team USA atop of the hockey world for the first time since 1980.

The showcase of the world’s best hockey talent took place only two more times after in 2004 and 2016.

Today, at the NHL’s European Player Media Tour in France, it appears the World Cup is coming back.

“We’re moving full steam ahead and that means we’re continuing to have regular meetings,” NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said. “We’re out in market already moving ahead with plans for a February 2024 World Cup. We’re still on schedule.”

The league and IIHF are currently looking for a two week window in February to hold the tournament. It would act very much like a break for the Winter Olympics that was supposed to happen this past season.

The NHL was forced to opt-out of Olympic participation due to a spike in COVID cases that forced 9 teams to shutdown and caused a premature extended holiday break in December.

“Since the CBA extension was reached 17 months ago, NHL players have looked forward with great anticipation to once again participating in the Winter Olympics,” NHLPA head Donald Fehr said. “Until very recently, we seemed to be on a clear path to go to Beijing. COVID-19 has unfortunately intervened, forcing dozens of games to be postponed this month alone. No matter how much we wish it were not the case, we need to utilize the Olympic period to reschedule these games… We expect that NHL players will return to the Olympics in 2026.”

NHL News and Rumors

• Top 5 NHL Storylines for 2022-23
• NHL Rumors: David Pastrnak looking to test free agency?
• Oilers after Patrick Kane, and why the Islanders keep missing on free agents
• Carey Price is unlikely to play for Montreal Canadiens next season

As we continue to get deeper into August, the players remaining become more likely to sign 1 year deals at “Crazy Eddie” prices. Let’s take a look at the best available.

-This article was first published at The Daily Goal Horn.

NHL Free Agent Bargains

Joe Thornton (C): At 42 years of age, Jumbo Joe can still help a hockey team out. Last season, Thornton played on an offensive machine in Toronto. He also dealt with limited travel that helped alleviate stress on his aging body. Playing in 44 games, he notched 20 points. His points per game was almost on par for the previous season with San Jose, but a far cry from his point a game days.

James Neal (F): The 33 year-old had just five goals and five assists (10 points) in 29 games during his season with the Oilers. Overall, he has 294 goals and 261 assists (555 points) in 13 seasons with the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh, Nashville Predators, Vegas Golden Knights, Calgary Flames and Edmonton. Someone is going to give him a 1 year deal.

Sami Vatanen (D): I am always shocked that a solid right-handed defender like Vatanen continues to be available. He certainly doesn’t put up the offensive numbers as he used to, but he can still help a defense out. He’s only 30 years-old so I expect him to not stay unsigned for much longer.

Zdeno Chara (D): The 44 year-old defender isn’t even sure if he will play next season or retire. “I think it’s not always a decision I can make myself,” he said at season’s end. “I have to have a conversation with my wife and children and see where we want to be in the next few days or weeks. After those conversations, I’m going to probably let the emotions settle in and see where I’m at.” If he does play, he’d be a great value add to shore up a team’s bottom pair.

Ryan Donato (F): Another rare 25 year-old UFA, the Sharks opted to not give him a qualifying offer. This was the same issue with both Nick Ritchie and Ondrej Kase in Boston. Donato scored 20 points in 50 games last season and should be picked up before the season starts.

Jason Demers (D): He’s a right-handed defenseman that can still play third pair minutes. In 41 games, the 33 year-old veteran picked up just 4 helpers for the Coyotes. He’s a prime candidate for an invite to a training camp on a professional tryout (PTO).

Tyler Bozak (C): The 35 year-old scored 17 points in 31 games last season playing bottom six minutes. There’s no doubt he can still be a productive contributor. He has a one year deal from the Blues available to him, but is currently seeing what else is on the market.

Eric Staal (C): Last season, the 36 year-old pivot split time between the Sabres and Canadiens but only managed a career low 13 points in 53 games. To make matters worse, he set a career high with a -30 plus/minus rating. Of course, Staal could bring value to a team’s fourth line next season at a bargain price. His leadership and experience would be worth the money alone.

Travis Zajac (C): The Islanders acquired Zajac at the trade deadline along with Kyle Palmieri for additional center depth heading into the playoffs. At 36, he score 20 points in 46 games and added another 2 points in 14 playoff contests. There’s a rumor that he has also agreed to return to the Island.

Nikita Kusev (F): At 29 years of age, Kusev is already a reclamation project. Highly touted coming out of the KHL, the disappointed Devils terminated his contract. The Panthers signed him mid season, where he finished with 10 points in 31 games split between the two clubs. He could be worth a cheap flyer or at least an invite to camp on a PTO.

For those of you that didn’t get the Crazy Eddie reference, it’s because you are under 40.

So were the New York Rangers one of them? It sure sounds like it.

New York Rangers did try and gauge Zdeno Chara’s interest

First off, let’s give credit where credit is due. The initial report came out of Boston Hockey Now by Jimmy Murphy. My first reaction was some eyebrow raising followed by me trying to do some digging.

My partner-in-crime @MurphysLaw74 has another edition of his Off The Record column: Patrik Laine and Steve Stamkos headline the NHL trade talks as they heat up again & could Zdeno Chara end up signing with the New York Rangers? 🏒🚨🏆https://t.co/4aY35OqSap

— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) December 14, 2020

I’m not saying anything about the Chara rumor other than I haven’t heard it and currently not making any headway on it. Is it possible the Rangers reached out prior to signing Jack Johnson? Sure, why not? He is after all a left handed defenseman and the Rangers need that. At this time however, there’s no room due to performance bonuses.

Forever Blueshirts 12/16/20

Tonight, I followed up again and received my roundabout confirmation from a well placed source. The Rangers indeed try and gauge his interest.

The bottom line is that Chara wanted to go to Boston first and foremost. When that door closed, he was looking for a team closer to the Cup.

For more on Chara leaving Boston for Washington check out The Daily Goal Horn.

One of those teams rumored to be interested were the New York Rangers. So is there a way to bring in the Big Z?

Chara looking at all his options, including retirement

The team at Hockey Now floated the rumors that the Rangers were one of several teams that reached out to Zdeno this offseason.

I followed up and asked around the Rangers and was met with silence on the topic. Is it possible the Rangers reached out prior to signing Jack Johnson? Sure, why not? He is after all a left handed defenseman and the Rangers need that. At this time however, there’s no room due to performance bonuses.

Also, Chara may sit out the season or retire as I reported at The Daily Goal Horn. A sentiment reiterated today by his agent.

Chara’s agent Matt Keator says he expects to have talks with Boston the next few days:
“I’ve had 20-plus teams reach out to me, but his focus right now is to talk to Boston. … He still has the option to retire. But he seems very interested in playing if it’s the right fit.’’

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) December 21, 2020

Can the Rangers find a way to sign Chara?

While Chara’s desire is to play with Boston, Cam Neely spoke with the press today and didn’t sound like he was ready to just jump on it.

“We certainly respect Zdeno and everything he’s done for the organization and what he’s accomplished as a player and what he’s done both on and off the ice here in Boston. It’s really just a matter of what his desire is and how the coaching staff and we feel what our lineup should look like and could look like depending on the development of some of these young guys.”

Boston Herald

If Boston doesn’t want him and he still wants to play, are the Rangers an option for him? If that is a yes, and the Rangers do want him, Is it possible with the ability to have a taxi squad, for the Blueshirts to work out a deal?

That would likely mean sending recently signed Jack Johnson to the taxi squad and take a small cap hit of $75,000. Of course, Chara would need to be amicable to a one year contract at around $1 million.

Jeff Gorton has to manage a cap that comes with uncertainty. They currently have 23 players signed and $4.829 million in cap space. Sounds like an easy ask to sign the veteran lefty defenseman.

Of course, the Rangers need to set aside 3 million worth of cushion to accommodate for extensive performance bonuses for players like Alexis Lafreniere, Kaapo Kakko, Igor Shesterkin, and Adam Fox to name a few.

They could play it tight and risk going over, but they would have time to adjust at the trade deadline. Is the risk worth it? A defense with Chara on it, even at 43 would still be an improvement. Plus he would be a great mentor to many young players.

Igor Shesterkin arrives in NYC

The “Czar of NY” lived up to the hype with a 10-2 record in 12 games. The 24 year-old Shesterkin did that with an impressive .932 SV% and 2.32 GAA.

Last season, Shesterkin basically helped propel the Rangers into playoff contention with stellar net-minding. He did so in impressive fashion earning a 7 game winning streak that included victories against Toronto, Winnipeg, and Carolina. He also faced over 40 shots in 5 of his 12 starts, winning every single contest.

Someone's back in town. 👀

Welcome back, Shesty! 🗽 pic.twitter.com/W3kIqL9ZYc

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 15, 2020

Rangers pursuing Zdeno Chara?

There’s rumor floating around that the Rangers are after Zdeno Chara. I haven’t heard anything about this and reached out to someone in the know and thus far haven’t heard anything different.

I’m not saying anything about the Chara rumor other than I haven’t heard it and currently not making any headway on it. Is it possible the Rangers reached out prior to signing Jack Johnson? Sure, why not? He is after all a left handed defenseman and the Rangers need that. At this time however, there’s no room due to performance bonuses.

Also, Chara may sit out the season or retire as I reported at The Daily Goal Horn. I have reached to additional sources in hopes of tracking this down, but I don’t expect this to happen.

Latest on the NHL Hold Ups

Last night on Insider Trading, they broke down some of the “devil in the details” still outstanding.

• Roster size
• Taxi Squads
  • Impact to AHL
  • Impact to salary cap
• Will there be waivers for taxi squad
• How many times are teams allowed to use the taxi squad

Read the full story here.

Each team looks to rebound from a loss yesterday as Boston fell victim to the Capitals and the Rangers lost a sloppy game against Philadelphia.

Boston has won both meetings this season, albeit both by a lone goal. Rangers will again turn to Henrik Lundqvist to right the ship as both the Flyers, Capitals and Blue Jackets right behind them for 2nd in the Metropolitan division.

Missed Opportunities
The Rangers had a very winnable game against Philadelphia as Chris Kreider and J.T. Miller failed to take advantage of prime scoring chances. However, losses happen and there were some positives to take out of the game. Daniel Carcillo and Dan Girardi played a great game against Philadelphia, ratcheting up their physical play as they swarmed the Flyers at every turn. The Bruins play a notorious physical game and to beat a tough Boston team, the Rangers have to force the Bruins to make mistakes. Still, the Rangers have to make the Bruins pay if they have any chance of avoiding a Boston sweep.

No Distractions
Everyone knows that Ryan Callahan has been shopped around this season, as Sather and Callahan’s game of chicken is quickly reaching its endgame. Martin St. Louis is trying to force his way out of Tampa Bay and has been on fire ever since he was left off of Team Canada initially. The Rangers however are in the middle of establishing themselves as a team in the playoffs as they are followed closely by the Flyers, Capitals, Blue Jackets, and even the Devils. NY needs to pick up as many points as they possibly can. The Bruins can manhandle any team and demand your uninterrupted attention.

Fulltilt Forecast: Sloppy play leads to the Rangers second consecutive loss as Boston takes advantage of a distracted Rangers team and beats the Rangers in a solid 3-1 victory and complete the season sweep of the Blueshirts. Brassard’s 8 game point streak comes to a halt against Chara, Rask, and company.