Zdeno Chara, 44, comes 'full circle' to re-unite with Islanders on 1-year deal

Zdeno Chara, 44, has signed a one-year contract with the New York Islanders, the team that originally drafted him 25 years ago.

Chara agreed to terms with the New York Islanders on a one-year deal Saturday, returning 25 years later to the organization that drafted him, to chase the Stanley Cup one more time at age 44.

"It's kind of full circle," Chara said. "Who would know that this would kind of work out the way it did after 20-some years?"

It worked out with the Islanders after Chara ultimately decided not to hang up his skates and picked them over other interested teams. Playing on Long Island allows Chara to be somewhat close to his family in Boston and contribute for a contender that has been on the verge of reaching the final the past two playoffs.

"It's a very solid group with strong leadership and strong core players that have been part of the Islanders for a long time," Chara said. "It's a well-structured and cultured team now, and for sure they've been making a lot of noise around the league."