The Boston Bruins continue to monitor Tuukka Rask's progress in his rehab from offseason hip surgery, and it sounds like a reunion later in the 2021-22 NHL season is definitely a possibility.
Rask is currently a free agent as he recovers from his injury. ESPN's Sean McDonough reported during the Bruins-Rangers broadcast on ABC last Friday that the 34-year-old goaltender will soon skate five times per week, is targeting a January return to game action and still hopes to play for the Bruins.
Bruins general manager Don Sweeney spoke to reporters Tuesday and provided an update on the team's communication with Rask.
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Judging by these comments from Sweeney, it sure sounds like the Bruins are pretty open to bringing Rask back at some point.
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It makes sense, too. The Bruins' goaltending has been average for most of this season.
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Offseason addition Linus Ullmark has posted a 5-3-0 record with a .914 save percentage and a 2.76 goals against average. Rookie netminder Jeremy Swayman is 6-4-0 with a .908 save percentage and a 2.42 GAA. Neither player has established himself as the clear-cut No. 1 goalie on the depth chart.
If that remains the case when Rask is able to come back, then the Bruins should absolutely pursue a reunion with the former Vezina Trophy winner.
We could debate Rask's ability to win in the Stanley Cup Playoffs all day long. But we know that a healthy Rask is better than Swayman and Ullmark in 2022.