After practicing with the Bruins for weeks, Tuukka Rask has signed a professional tryout contract with the Providence Bruins and will start for the organization’s minor league affiliate Friday night.

Providence hosts Lehigh Valley Friday and Sunday.

The signing of Rask to a PTO and a start in Providence is the next step in what is Rask’s road back to the NHL as he recovers from off-season hip surgery.

"I’ve watched him for years, so I’m stating the obvious: he’s an excellent goaltender, technically sound. Not a lot of wasted movement for Tuukka. It’s been his strength since he came into the league as a 20-year-old,” said head coach Bruce Cassidy.

“I think it’s been well documented, if you go back and look at the scouting reports, people have talked about him, how it was his strength. I remember in Providence as a young guy, just in control, that’s been his game from Day 1."

With Rask now seemingly weeks away from an NHL return, what the Bruins do in goal becomes a more time-sensitive question.

While it may not be the best way to handle the situation, the most likely scenario has Jeremy Swayman sent to Providence, allowing Rask and Linus Ullmark to share the reigns at the NHL level.

Swayman would not need waivers to be sent down to Providence.

I think there is more of a possibility now than there was a few weeks ago that the Bruins run with three goalies. Given the issues with COVID still present and the Bruins packed schedule of games ahead, the Bruins can utilize the tax squad for whichever of the three goalies are not dressed for respective games.

As I mentioned before, bringing Rask back into the fold really questions what the Bruins were thinking when they signed Ullmark this summer and furthermore, gave him a no trade clause, tying the Bruins hands with their goalie situation.

Both Swayman and Ullmark have been fine this season, rarely costing the Bruins games. However, neither really has jumped further ahead in the goalie competition, running with the keys to the car.

The Bruins are allowing 2.15 goals/60 minutes at five-on-five, 2.54/60 at all strengths. That ranks 11th and 4th respectively.

Join the Discussion: » 28 Comments » Post New Comment

» The End of an Era?

» Linus Ullmark or Jeremy Swayman in Game 7?

» Home Not So Sweet Home

» Bruins Depth On Full Display In Sunrise Sweep

» Bruins Drop Game 2 After Ugly Performance