When free agency opened on July 1, 2006, Zdeno Chara had no idea where it was going to lead him. It was different back then, as there was no pre-free agency contact, and guys literally had to wait until it officially opened.
When it opened, it was nerve-wracking for Chara, but in the end, he signed with the Boston Bruins, and the rest, they say, is history. He was named team captain, and little did anyone know what was about to happen. Chara would lead a memorable run of Boston Bruins hockey that ended with a 2011 Stanley Cup championship.