Boston Bruins kick off season with trades and tribute to Chara
The Boston Bruins kick off the season with roster cuts and a tribute to the legendary Zdeno Chara, whose number will be retired.
Photo by Lynda Sanchez on Unsplash
The Boston Bruins are preparing for their NHL debut with significant changes both on and off the ice. The franchise announced a historic ceremony to honor one of its legends, in addition to making key roster cuts ahead of the first game.
Historic tribute: Zdeno Chara's number 33 will be retired
The team confirmed it will retire the number 33 of former captain Zdeno Chara, an iconic figure who led the franchise for more than a decade and lifted the Stanley Cup in 2011.
The ceremony is scheduled for January 15, 2026, against the Seattle Kraken. Chara will become the first European player to receive this honor from the Bruins.
"Zdeno represents leadership, discipline, and excellence. This is a special moment for the entire organization," the board said in an official statement.
Bruins' tactical adjustments and first game against the Capitals
Prior to the season, the Bruins made roster cuts: Jonathan Aspirot, Matej Blumel, Michael DiPietro, Alex Steeves, and Matt Poitras were left off the starting lineup. The goal is to fine-tune their game plan under new head coach Marco Sturm, who will be making his debut at the helm.
Boston will face the Washington Capitals tonight at Capital One Arena, kickoff at 7:30 p.m. (local time). Sturm said he's looking to strengthen his defensive system, although he acknowledges it will be "an intense challenge from Game 1."
Sportsbooks position Washington as the favorite in this first matchup, although Boston is confident of starting the season with a solid performance.
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