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Where Does NHL Veteran Zdeno Chara Fit On Islanders?

Where Does NHL Veteran Zdeno Chara Fit On Islanders?
Maisy Healy Editorials

Zdeno Chara, 44, signed a one-year contract with the New York Islanders at the end of the NHL offseason. The veteran blueliner has a lot to offer the Isles, particularly to the young defensemen. There are a lot of possibilities as to where Chara will fit in the Islanders’ lineup. However, the best option is to put him in a defensive pairing with up-and-coming defenseman Noah Dobson, 21, and platoon with Andy Greene, 38. 

After signing with the Islanders, Zdeno Chara posted this picture on Instagram with the caption, “I had to get some dust off them, but sure they still looking good!” (Photo courtesy of Zdeno Chara).

Mentor Experience

Since Chara made his NHL debut with the Islanders back in 1997, he has played for 23 seasons, and 14 of those seasons were spent with the Boston Bruins from 2006 to 2020. Aside from winning the Norris Trophy in 2009, one of Chara’s most notable feats in the NHL is how he molded Bruins’ defenseman Charlie McAvoy, 23, into the player he is today. 

“[Chara] is a good tutor, he’s a student of the game, you know a true professional, so the off-ice part is amazing for the young guys to see why guys last in this league,” Bruins’ head coach Bruce Cassidy said in August 2020. 

McAvoy played alongside Chara since his NHL debut in 2017 up until Chara left the team. McAvoy is now the face of the Bruins’ defense and one of the best defensemen in the NHL.  

“[Chara] kind of played the role of player-coach in a way, because there were so many teaching moments,” McAvoy said. “We had three great years of playing together, which I will never, ever take it for granted.”

When asked what it is like learning from Chara, McAvoy said, “He’s as good as anyone in the entire league to learn under. I’ve learned so many lessons on the ice, off the ice. Something I don’t take for granted, I’m extremely blessed and fortunate to learn under this guy and have him as a friend and a teammate.” (Photo courtesy of Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images).

Chara, Greene and Dobson

Dobson has been mentored by both Johnny Boychuk and Greene since his NHL debut in the 2019-20 season. Since Boychuk’s retirement, Dobson and Greene have been one of the Islanders’ top defensive pairings. Dobson has definitely been improving both defensively and offensively under Greene’s wing. The points he earned in the regular season doubled from the 2019-20 season to the 2020-21 season. 

Despite Greene’s positive influence on Dobson, he is getting older and may need rest throughout the upcoming season. Chara is also likely to need rest throughout the 82-game season. It would be in the Islanders’ best interest to put both Greene and Chara with Dobson and alternate out the two veterans. The young defenseman could really benefit from a third veteran mentor, especially one as successful and experienced as Chara. 

Dobson had 40 hits and 59 blocks in the 2020-21 NHL regular season. Playing with Zdeno Chara, who is giving the Islanders NHL experience, will only help Dobson (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images).

Setting up Dobson for Success

Dobson is on the path to become one of the Islanders’ best defensemen in a few years. The 2018 12th overall pick will only continue to improve as he is mentored by talented, knowledgeable veterans like Greene and Chara. While Chara’s time in the NHL may be coming to an end soon, Dobson’s is just beginning. Getting to play alongside the future hall of famer will definitely set Dobson up for a successful season and career. 

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