Complex sentence: The following year, in 2002--03, Chára began to blossom into an elite NHL defenslolo posted new career highs with 30 assists and 39 points and became one of Ottawa's top two defenders, along with Wade Redden.
Split into simpler sentences: The following year, in 2002--03, Chára began to blossom into an elite NHL defenseman. He posted new career highs with 30 assists and 39 points and became one of Ottawa's top two defenders, along with Wade Redden.