Backstrom thought Chara was mean when he was a Bruin

Nicklas Backstrom is opening up about his new teammate. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Nicklas Backstrom thought Zdeno Chara was 'pretty mean' when he was a Bruin

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 2/14/21

No one expected former Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara to sign with the Washington Capitals during the offseason, but he did.

Chara has been a solid addition for the Capitals, who are third in the East Division. The 43-year-old has two goals and four points in 12 games played, but Nicklas Backstrom says Chara's impact stretches beyond the ice.

Backstrom also admitted that he thought Chara was "pretty mean" while he played for the Bruins. Of course, who wouldn't think that? At 6-foot-9, he's the tallest player in the NHL.

Nicklas Backstrom on Zdeno Chara's transition to the Capitals: "He's such a nice guy off the ice. You didn't think so when you played against him. I thought he was pretty mean."
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) February 14, 2021

Chara spent 14 seasons with the Bruins and was named captain when he signed with the franchise in 2006.

The 2008-09 Norris Trophy winner led the Bruins to numerous Stanley Cup playoff appearances and a Stanley Cup title in 2011. In 1,023 regular-season games for Boston, Chara tallied 481 points (148 goals, 333 assists) and accumulated 1,055 penalty minutes.

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