Chara inks 1-year deal to return to Islanders

Zdeno Chara pondered his future, talked to his family and decided a blast from his past was the right choice for where to play a 24th NHL season.

Chara agreed to terms with the 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.

Golf: Play Saturday in the LPGA Tour’s Cambia Portland Classic was called off because of wet conditions and forecast rain at Oregon Golf Club. Second-ranked Jin Young Ko shot a 5-under 67 on Friday to take the second-round lead at 8-under 136. Gemma Dryburgh was a stroke back.

NFL: The Raiders placed backup quarterback Marcus Mariota on injured reserve Saturday after he hurt his quadriceps on his only snap in the season opener against the Ravens . ... The 49ers placed linebacker Dre Greenlaw on injured reserve Saturday with a groin injury that will likely sideline him for at least a month.