Note: This article has been updated with knowledge learned this morning of Tuukka Rask leaving the bubble to attend to a family emergency that has since been resolved.
Following a whirlwind of events, the future of Tuukka Rask with the Boston Bruins is very much in doubt. Since the start of play in the Toronto bubble, Rask made public comments regarding the quality of the atmosphere. On August 13th, Rask was quoted as saying “To be honest with you, it doesn’t really feel like playoff hockey out there” in an article by ESPN’s Emily Kaplan. Just two days later, Rask announced he was opting out of the bubble. With his future in question, Rask could soon find himself out of the NHL.
Boston’s Options with Tuukka Rask
As was discussed in a recent rumours article, Joe Haggerty suggested Tuukka Rask may move on from hockey soon. His attitude does not fit the “team first” culture the Bruins have worked so hard to build. On a team committed to supporting one another, he has failed to live up to the expectations. There is an unprecedented level of brotherhood in the Bruins locker room. If they decide to move on, Boston will be in the market for a new goaltender, but what options are available?
Keep Rask
At this point, this is the worst option Boston could pursue. Rask has one year remaining on an eight-year, $7 million deal. Should they keep him, this gives Rask one more shot at winning a Stanley Cup, something he has been unable to do. From a team perspective, this makes little sense. While they would have a solid goaltender to rely on, they would have nothing just one season later. There are other, more viable options available.
Looking at the free-agent market for the 2020-21 offseason, there are few viable options available. The best goalies with expiring contracts include Frederik Andersen, Jordan Binnington, and Philipp Grubauer. None of them are likely to hit the open market, though. If Boston winds up looking for a free agent goalie that offseason, it should not be for a long term fix, unless they manage to land one of those top options.
This does not necessarily mean that whoever Boston signs in this situation will be bad. Fans have seen some strong defence in front of goaltenders with this team before. Chad Johnson and Anton Khudobin are two such examples. While that core is bound to change over the next few seasons, they could make an average goalie look like a brick wall.
Ship Rask Out
One of the most enticing options involves getting Rask out of Boston. Trading Rask this offseason would guarantee they do not lose him to retirement or free agency. This would not be an easy proposition either. Rask’s current contract contains a modified no-movement clause. Rask can submit a 15 team trade list to the team where he would be willing to land. On the positive end, Boston could land a top-end draft selection to bolster a roster that will need some new faces in a few seasons.
Possible Replacements
If Boston does trade Tuukka Rask, that leaves Jaroslav Halak and Dan Vladar as the presumptive tandem for next season. While Halak does have a history of being a solid starter, he is already 35 years old. There is not much gas left in the tank. He is better suited for a backup role at this point in his career. Vladar is also unproven, having never played an NHL game in his career. While he could wind up being a solid goaltender in a few seasons, he needs to further his development.
The upcoming free-agent class is deep at goaltender. Boston could easily fill the hole trading Rask created. With a winning culture and a strong roster ready to win a title, they are an attractive destination. Braden Holtby, Robin Lehner, and Jacob Markstrom are all great options for Boston to look into. Each of them has an expiring contract and could easily wind up on the open market.
Robin Lehner
Robin Lehner is the best option for Boston. Likely to seek roughly $7 million per year, Lehner fits Boston’s salary cap situation. If they trade Rask, they can fit him perfectly without skipping a beat. If they have to retain any of Rask’s contract in a trade, it makes things more difficult, but not impossible. In 36 games in 2019-20, Lehner has an impressive .920 save percentage. Lehner has not signed a long term contract as a free agent and it is well known he is looking for one. He would be a perfect fit for Boston and could win a title in Beantown.
Braden Holtby
Holtby is likely the second option. While in an ideal world, Markstrom would be the second choice, he is a candidate to be resigned by the Vancouver Canucks. After the season that Holtby had, it is highly unlikely he remains with the Washington Capitals. While he fell far from where he has been in previous years, a change in scenery could help. At 30 years old, Holtby has plenty of time left in his career if he can regain his form.
While Tuukka Rask has been a staple in net for Boston for the better half of a decade, his time may be up. Bruins fans have never taken too kindly to Rask after some bad losses with him as the starter. This situation is not helping his reputation. He will likely be on his way out of Boston in the coming months. He could find himself out of hockey not far after.
Getting rid of Rask now, instead of waiting for his likely retirement after the 2020–21 season, would leave the Bruins a much better opportunity to sign a viable replacement. Players like Lehner and Holtby have much higher chances to hit the open market and are looking for new teams to join for the next campaign. Names like Binnington and Grubauer, who become free agents in the 2021 summer, are becoming the centre of their team’s focus and won’t be likely to join a scrambling Boston team. To keep a star in net for the foreseeable future, the Bruins need to get rid of Rask sooner rather than later.
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