Big Record For Big Z

Playing defense in the NHL is a tough job. You have to have a physical presence, play a solid game in your own end, and provide some offensive punch when needed. Being able to do it for over 1,500 games is a pretty impressive feat. Only six men in the history of the league have played that man games. Nick Lindstrom (1,564), Ray Borque (1,612), Larry Murphy (1,615), Scott Stevens (1,635) Chris Chelios (1,651) and just tied Wednesday night Zedeno Chara (1,651). Chara moves into sole possession of first place in that games played list tonight in San Jose. 

What this man has been able to do during the course of his career is really staggering. Twenty Four season in the NHL, two tours of duty with the Islanders. In between was a four year stop with the Ottawa Senators and a fourteen year stretch with the Boston Bruins and one season with the Washington Capitals. And through it all, he put up good numbers.  207 goals, 467 assists for 674 points, to go along with 2,068 penalty minutes. He won a Stanley Cup as captain of the Bruins in 2011. He's been a finalist for the Norris Trophy as the league top defenseman six times, winning it once in 2009. He's played in the All Star Game six times, been a first team all star three times and a second teamer four times.

It really is amazing that the tallest player in the history of the league has now played more games on an NHL blue line than any other player in this league. And he's still going. The Islanders gave up on his first go around and sent him to Ottawa along with the pick that turned into Jason Spezza in the Alexei Yashin trade. It turned out to be a huge move for Ottawa as it was there that Big Z really came into his game. The rest as they say is history.

Chara can do a little bit of everything. Had the hardest shot in the league five times. He can dish the puck pretty well. Knows how to throw his weight around and fight when needed. From everything I've heard, Chara has a work ethic, on and off the ice, is second to none.  What makes this even more impressive is the quiet way in which Chara goes about his job. He does it, does it very well, and moves on. Chara is good very good.

Hats off to Big Z for playing the most games by a blue liner in league history!