With all the talk about the ridiculous (Dennis Wideman for 5.25, anybody?) cap hits that are getting thrown around right now, I'd like to take a minute to appreciate just how good Zdeno Chara's contract really is. Here it is, courtesy of Capgeek.com:

Just marvel at that. Zdeno Chara is a perennial Norris contender, All-Star, high-scoring defenseman. We know we can see him try to top his own record for hardest shot (again) for at least a couple more years. He's a fitness fiend so we don't have to worry too much about the length of the contract, and it's not a 35+ contract so if he retires he's off the cap. Nothing to not like.

Zdeno Chara Highlight:

Bruins defensemen who have scored hat tricks: Robert Gordon Orr, Raymond Jean Bourque, Glen Edwin Wesley, Zdeno Chara. That's the whole list, and I think you'll agree it's pretty elite company.