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Bruins captain Zdeno Chara, injured September 24 in his first preseason game of the year, has been placed on IR according to the Bruins roster on Bruins.com. His upper body injury has held him out of the rest of the preseason, although he was skating yesterday, with video proof from WEEI.com.
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They have not announced if it was retroactive to anything, but with the CBA dictating that players on IR must be out for at least 7 days. If retroactive, the Bruins could activate him at any time. This close to having to release the final rosters, it could be a ploy for an extra roster spot, allowing them more time to make a decision. At least Chara was not completely removed from the roster, like his former defensive partner Dennis Seidenberg.
UPDATE: It was indeed retroactive, so Chara is available to play in the season opener.
Just talked with the #Bruins - Chara is on IR retro active to the date of the injury. Meaning if he's healthy he can play opening night
— James Stewart (@IAmJamesStewart) October 5, 2015
A long term Chara injury would be a crushing blow to the defense, who as it stands seems to be overwhelmed, with Dennis Seidenberg also out due to an injury. With both Chara and Seidenberg out, the Bruins will rely on Adam McQuaid (283 career games), Torey Krug (160 career games), Matt Irwin (153), Kevan Miller (88), Zach Trotman (29), Joe Morrow (15), and Colin Miller (0 NHL games) to hold down the fort defensively, barring Don Sweeney trading for help.
The youth movement is unavoidable at this point.