Chara has been big help

As the leader of the Bruins' defense corps, Zdeno Chara automatically takes junior comrades under his wing. Since he stands 6 feet 9 inches, that's not hard to do.

But Chara's influence transcends the literal. It's just that he doesn't know it.

At least that's the testimony of his partner, Andrew Alberts, who is emerging as both Chara's prize pupil and a solid NHL defenseman.

At 6-4, Alberts is one of the few players who can greet Chara at neck level. But it's what's inside the nine-year veteran's head that is most pertinent to Alberts, the former Boston College star who's in only his second full pro season -- and second in Boston.

Alberts's development has been pronounced. At 25, he has emerged as a worthy running mate for the indefatigable Chara, who leads the NHL in playing time with an average of 29 minutes 32 seconds per game, the bulk as Alberts's schoolmaster.

Alberts was averaging 20:20 entering last night's 4-3 shootout win over Tampa Bay , almost double the ice time of his rookie season, and he was second on the team behind Chara in hits (38) and blocked shots (38). He attributes much of his progress to emulating Chara.

"Playing with the big guy doesn't hurt," said Alberts before the game. "Just watching him, practicing all sorts of new things, watching video with him -- he's constantly teaching. Not just me, but all the defensemen."

Chara contends that if Alberts has benefited, it's a process of pure osmosis.

"I can do a little," he said, "but you don't want to limit him or box him in with your rules, your game. You've got to let him play his game."

The game you'll see from Alberts is increasingly like that of Chara: robust checking, savvy positional play, clearing the zone when a play doesn't develop.

"It's great to have someone of his caliber telling you about playing the defensive zone, staying out of trouble," said Alberts, who had an assist last night. "The big thing is knowing when to start a play over. If the puck is deep in your zone, sometimes you've just got to chip it out instead of always trying to make a play."

Chara acknowledges that he will readily impart his wisdom to Alberts. But he doesn't consider himself an expert.

"You can say that my job is to support him," said Chara. "If there's something I can teach him or give him any advice, I do it. Even after 10 years, you're still learning. When I was young, if I got any advice, I listened. It adds up over the years. It's going to help along the road. But that doesn't mean I'm his major tutor. I just offer comments, I would say."

It's true that others -- such as coach Dave Lewis, an NHL defenseman for 15 years -- are overseeing Alberts's tutelage as well.

"I still see him as being on the upswing," said Lewis. "He does a lot of good things and there are a lot of things he can improve. We're spending a lot of time with him on simple fundamentals, like passing and shooting, leading up to more complex things like reading situations."

Still, Chara is shortchanging himself regarding his input.

"Maybe he doesn't realize it," said Alberts, "but even the little things he says sink in. Watching him play, being a bigger guy -- if he's able to play at that size, anybody with size should be able to do it. I've learned more already this year than I did last year" -- when, coincidentally, Chara was an Ottawa Senator.

Not surprisingly, Chara considers Alberts an eminently receptive student.

"He's a guy who wants to learn, to get better," said Chara. "He's working hard. He has all the tools, a lot of potential. And it's a plus when a guy is willing to listen."

Alberts believes it's a bigger plus when a guy is willing to share.

Bob Duffy can be reached at Duffy@globe.com.