Boston Bruins, Goalie Tuukka Rask sign one-year, $3.5 million contract -NHL offseason Update
With Tim Thomas out of the goalie scene for the next National Hockey League (NHL) regular season, the Boston Bruins have decided to give the spotlight to former backup, Tuukka Rask, by signing him to a one-year, $3.5 million contract on Thursday, June 28,
2012.
The signing did not come as a surprise to anyone as Rask seemed to be the only option that Boston Bruins could go with as the free agency consisted of limited goalkeepers who were not worth the hassle.
Thomas, the 2011 Stanley Cup and Vezina Trophy winning goalie, decided to take the upcoming hockey year off in order to go over his priorities and spend time with family and friends.
There is no such news of his retirement, but according to some hockey pundits, he could be making that announcement prior to the regular season kicking off.
Rask was set to become a restricted free agent on the July 1st deadline after his two-year, $2.5 million deal was to come to an end but making him a qualifying offer and signing him on within days was what Boston had planned this whole time.
Allowing Rask to test the free agency would only force them to lose a goalie, something the Boston Bruins cannot afford to do at all at this moment.
Picked up as the 21st overall draft pick back in 2005 by Toronto Maple Leafs, the 25-year-old goalie had always wanted more time on the ice. In five season appearances, the Finnish goalie has only played in 102 games while registering an accumulative
save percentage of .926 and 2.20 goals-against average.
Rask’s prayers were finally answered when Thomas decided to take the upcoming season off, making him the top goalie for the team. Boston is also deciding to play it safe after a one-year deal in order to see whether the youngster can handle the pressure
of being the Bruins top goalie or not.
Next season will definitely be harsh for Rask as he will get more than his fair share of time on the ice and a once in a lifetime chance to impress the team and secure a longer, higher paying deal.
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