The Boston Bruins signed free agent goaltender Tuukka Rask to a one-year contract worth $1 million for the remainder of the 2021-22 season.
The #NHLBruins are signing 34 y/o G Tuukka Rask to a 1 year $1M (all base salary) contract.
Due to signing during the year, he’ll actually earn $545K.
Last year he had a 913 SV% in 24 GP.
He’s represented by Markus Lehto @wassermanhockey https://t.co/hDVeS0lbDR
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) January 11, 2022
Tuukka Rask Signed With the Boston Bruins
Over his 14-year NHL career Rask only suited up for the Boston Bruins, and that’s where he’ll continue to play. In that span, he accumulated 560 career appearances, including 539 starts. He registered 306 wins and an overall record of 306-163-66 with 52 shutouts. Originally drafted in the first round, 21st overall in the 2005 NHL draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Rask also possesses a postseason record of 57-46.
In the regular season, Rask holds a strong .921 career save percentage and a 2.28 goals-against-average. His playoff numbers are just as impressive, sitting at a .925 save percentage and 2.22 GAA. He won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender in 2013-14, as well as a William M. Jennings Trophy in 2019-20 after the Bruins allowed the fewest goals against over that season.
Last season Rask went 15-5-2 with a .913 percent save percentage and 2.28 GAA. He won the Stanley Cup with Boston as their backup goaltender behind Tim Thomas in 2010-11.
What This Means for the Future
Tuukka Rask signed his first three NHL contracts in Boston, which carried him all 14 seasons, thus far. His numbers sit amongst the top of the league on a consistent basis. He established himself as a bonafide starter at the NHL level long ago. Bruins’ fans sometimes tend to put more blame on him than is probably justified. His year-over-year consistency demonstrates elite goaltending ability and the Bruins largely relied on that consistency to never need to worry about who is in their net.
With Rask between the pipes, the goaltending position can basically be out of sight, out of mind. He’ll join a crowded crease with Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman. His quality start percentage sat at a strong .667 percent last season, a number that has only fallen under the .500 mark once in his career. At 34 years old, Rask still has plenty of tread on his tires and will be a major contributor for the Bruins down the stretch.
Main Photo: