from Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe,

For the moment, the Bruins remain without a captain, albeit with Zdeno Chara still technically the old man in the “C”.

However, Chara, 43, remains an unrestricted free agent and this is the longest stretch in his storied career that he has not had a deal in place for the upcoming season (if).

According to Big Z’s agent, Matt Keator, other clubs have inquired about signing Chara, who is still in town with wife and kids and remains committed to striking an extension with Bruins GM Don Sweeney.

“Don has been very communicative throughout the process,” said Keator, Chara’s agent from even before the Trencin Tower of Power signed here in 2006. “Once we find out the format of the coming season, Z will be in more of a position to make a decision for himself and his family.”

Sweeney still has some $6.6 million in his cap wallet — per puckpedia.com — a portion of it earmarked to re-sign restricted free agent Jake DeBrusk (no arbitration rights). If DeBrusk lands upward of $3 million a year, that should leave enough to bring back Chara, who banked $3.5 million last year ($2 million base plus bonuses).

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