Last week saw the return of free agent goalie Tuukka Rask to the ice at Warrior Arena prior to Bruins practice. The 34 year old Finn is recovering from hip surgery to repair a torn labrum that occurred sometime in the 2019-20 season and currently is skating without the bulk of his equipment and isn’t taking shots in net. Rask is hoping for a mid-season return to the Boston Bruins and potentially a spot on the Finnish men’s national team for the Olympics.
Tuukka Rask was seen on the ice in Boston earlier today before the #NHLBruins morning skate.
After having hip surgery earlier this summer, Tuukka still remains an unrestricted free agent. 👀
📽️: @JoeGiza pic.twitter.com/IuDeCiAStl
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 8, 2021
Since his surgery, he has been performing his rehab and other training with the Bruins staff but not really interacting with the team other than in passing or privately. Even though he is still unsigned, he has stated that the only team with whom that he wants to sign is the Bruins.
“He’s on the ice skating on his own with no equipment, not taking shots, I know that part,” Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said Tuesday. “He’s here in the morning working with some of our trainers, using the facility and then he leaves. Typically, there’s a crossover when we come in, but we’ve afforded him that and I think it’s worked out well. Tuukka’s just coming in, being a good professional, getting his work done, and I think it’s worked out fine for him, allowing him to do that.”
Don Sweeney has said that he’ll leave the door open for his return and Tuukka stated that he will be really cheap. This is a bit weird in that the Bruins signed Linus Ullmark to a multi-year deal presumably to take over from Rask. That combined with the Bruins riding the Swayman train for now would make it unlikely that the B’s would seek out Rask’s services. However, Swayman being waivers exempt makes it possible for him to be sent down to Providence to play if Tuukka and the Bruins agree to terms.
So how are the two Bruins goalies doing anyway? Let’s have a comparison.
| Player | Games Played | Games Started | Wins | Losses | Home Wins | Save % | Goals Allowed Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Swayman | 7 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 4 | .914 | 2.16 |
| Linus Ullmark | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2 | .903 | 3.01 |
Swayman’s numbers are better overall but both have sub-optimal save percentages. It becomes clear that the team has trouble winning on the road as neither player has a winning record on the road. It’s still too early to really know what we have in net for the full year and it will be a shame if Rask comes in to replace the current better goaltender in Swayman. But, then again, we know exactly what Tuukka is, and while he has some rough moments, when he’s on, he’s better than both of these guys.
Time will tell if Rask and Sweeney agree on terms. We’ll keep an eye on things to see what happens.
Morning all. 10 groups done for Open Enrollment. Only 67 left to go!
Progress?
It’s such a screwed up bureaucratic clusterfuck.
“Let’s force every employee, regardless of employment start date, to sign up for insurance within the same 2 week window every year, AND NEVER LET THEM ALTER IT! And while we’re at it, let’s line up every employer we deal with to use the same time window.”
^ yup ^
Good morning!
Good problems. The uncertainty of Tuukka’s return, coupled with Swayman’s inexperience led to Ullmark being signed. I think Ullmark can be moved at the appropriate time, if necessary, no big deal.
Holy crap! Leaving Sunday for Georgia… NOT READY!! Going for oil change now!
Yeah, my gut says Ullmark was signed with the expectation of moving him at the trade deadline. Though with Tuukka out of the lineup, it’s easy to see the team moving on. Still, he should be the best guy available once he is ready to return, and should be an obvious upgrade from Ullmark. Though it may turn out that they send Sway down and keep Ullmark, just because it’s simpler.
I actually think Ullmark has been better than Swayman, ignoring pre-season. Havent seen any of those howlers from Ullmark in the regular season and I cant remember thinking he was responsible for any goals (though he may have been).
Swayman very promising but rebound control needs to improve (and it has already started to).
Either goalie would have better stats if the team would play some D in front of them. The Bruins as a team have been sub par in their own end and defensivelh all over the ice
The whole “passing the puck to your opponent” trick they’ve pulled on a few occasions seems less than effective. They’ve certainly given up some high percentage shot opportunities.
One of the most frustrating things about them this season is their habit of heroically gaining possession, then immediately giving the puck away, gift-wrapped.
Every time I see the name Ullmark, my brain is convinced it’s some sort of department store.
I always think of Tracy Ullman! She’s fucking hilariousand the Simpsons started as a short skit on the end of her show!
I hadn’t before, but I will now!
Speaking of Tracy Ullman, now that you have Netflix this is a fun one:
https://www.netflix.com/title/80235999#:~:text=In%20a%20madcap%20stage%20play,as%20told%20through%20a%20piano.&text=A%20who's%20who%20of%20British,Tim%20Curry%20and%20Russell%20Brand.