To understand what Zdeno Chara’s arrival meant to the Boston Bruins, you had to start on July 1, 2006. The Boston Bruins were in the middle of an identity crisis following a dreadful 2005-06 campaign. Two supposed franchise cornerstones in Joe Thornton and Sergei Samsonov found themselves in new homes. The deal for the former to San Jose came out of the blue in late November.
Chara, fresh off a stellar run with the Ottawa Senators, came to Boston on a five-year deal worth $37.5 million. He set his giant 6-foot-9 footprint on the franchise through his work ethic and leadership by example.