Chara still has the confidence of coach Barry Trotz that he will be able to hold up physically over this condensed season, Kevin Kurz of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Trotz mentioned that Chara is in incredible shape, but one must believe that Trotz knows he will have to give Andy Greene and Chara regular rest. Starting Friday, the Islanders play 50 games in 99 days, and there it would seem highly unlikely that Greene and Chara will be up to the task of playing every day. Look for Robin Salo and possibly Sebastian Aho to play a part-time role even when Ryan Pulock (lower body) returns to the lineup.

Chara has gone 15 straight games without a point.

EDGE Analysis

Chara only has two points, both assists, in 25 games on the season to go along with a rating of plus-1.

Chara has yet to light the lamp and only has two assists in 22 games for the Islanders this season.

EDGE Analysis

The future Hall of Fame defenseman is not the player he used to be at 44 years of age. While he still possesses a long reach, his skating has noticeably declined, and he could slow down even further as the season moves along. Chara is averaging over 18 minutes of playing time a game, and that's probably more than the Islanders have wanted to play the veteran defenseman, but COVID-19, injuries, and a slow start to the season for the team have necessitated him playing all of those minutes. The Islanders won't play Monday versus the Canadiens as Canadian teams won't be crossing the border until after the Christmas break. The Islanders will next play Thursday versus the Capitals.

Chara has cleared the NHL's COVID-19 protocols ahead of Saturday's matchup with the Red Wings, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

Chara is expected to return to a top-four role Saturday following his three-game absence. The 44-year-old vet has tallied two assists through 15 contests this campaign.

Chara tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, Andrew Gross of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

Chara is the seventh member of the Islanders to enter the league's COVID-19 protocols. Despite the number of absences, the team is still expected to be in action versus the Rangers on Wednesday. Paul LaDue figures to step into the lineup against their cross-town rivals with Chara set to miss at least the next 10 days following his positive test.

Chara notched an assist in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Wild.

EDGE Analysis

The helper was just his second point in 10 games. At 44 years old, Chara is having difficulty keeping up with the faster pace. He's contributed 10 shots on net, eight PIM, 19 hits and 11 blocked shots, but he's unlikely to score enough to be considered in fantasy.

Chara has gotten off to a slow start this season for the Islanders, Arthur Staple of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Chara may be feeling his age during the first month of the season as he has lost his footing several times, taken unnecessary penalties, and gotten turned around in his defensive zone. Chara is 44 years of age, and perhaps a slow start was to be expected, but the Islanders will need him to find his game if they want to get to where they want to go. Coach Barry Trotz may have to manage Chara's playing time and may also have to sit him when the Islanders play back-to-back games.

Chara's one-year, $750,000 contract with the Islanders was filed Sunday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Chara agreed to a deal with the Islanders in September and now it's official. The veteran blueliner is expected to have a bottom-four role after scoring 10 points in 55 games with Washington last season.

Chara is set to sign a one-year deal with the Islanders, ESPN's Kevin Weekes reports.

EDGE Analysis

Many believed Chara would hang his skates up following his 23rd NHL season in 2020-21, during which he picked up two goals and 10 points through 55 games with the Capitals, but instead he'll return to the club he began his career with in the Islanders for the 2021-22 campaign. The 44-year-old defenseman will likely see bottom-pairing usage with the Isles during the upcoming campaign.

Chara became the fifth defenseman in NHL history to play 1,600 games when he skated 19:42 in a 6-3 win over the Islanders on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Chara laid three hits, blocked a shot, fired one shot and finished plus-2, but he has gone 17 games without a point. Twelve more games and Chara will tie the great Ray Bourque, but that will need to wait until 2021-22 if he plays. The Caps have just eight regular-season games left.