BHN Daily: An Olive Branch From Boston Bruins to Rask, Krejci?

Did Boston Bruins team president Cam Neely just extend an olive branch to David Krejci and Tuukka Rask Tuesday? Or did he begin the spin process the Bruins will use to move on from the longtime Boston Bruins who are set to become unrestricted free agents in July? 

“I haven’t talked to them myself personally about that, I kind of let the season go along and just let them focus on playing this year,” Neely said in a Zoom call with the media Tuesday. “My guess is that they would. I think they both would probably like to finish their careers are Boston Bruins, so let’s see what happens this off-season. But there’s something to be said about playing for one organization and right now, that’s what it’s looking like for both Tuukka [Rask] and David [Krejci].”

While Neely didn’t provide any updates, he continued to heap praise on his goalie who has been a constant lightning rod for controversy and whom Neely, just as recently as May 14, left the door open to be replaced by rookie Jeremy Swayman next season as the team’s new starter.

Following a 3-2 overtime loss in Game 1 of the first round series against the Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask was non-committal on his future with the Boston Bruins and in the NHL. 

“I haven’t really thought about that. I just try to go game-by-game, series-by-series,” Rask replied when asked about playing on an expiring contract for the first time in his NHL career. “I’ll see what the future brings after that. Obviously, there’s going to be some decisions to be made, but we’ll do that when the time is right. Right now I’m not thinking about that.”

Rask was then pressured about his health.

“I’m not going to answer that right now. I’ll talk to you after the season,” Rask replied when asked if maybe father time was catching up. “You’ll find out.”

Thanks to Neely’s comments on Tuesday, the pressure is now on Rask and Krejci to take what will likely be offers similar to the one the Boston Bruins discussed with former captain Zdeno Chara before Chara opted to sign with the Washington Capitals in unrestricted free agency. If either or both of Krejci and Rask reject the cheaper and reduced roles with the Bruins, the spin that they didn’t want to remain Bruins for life and chose another team instead is already in place. 

Now onto the rest of your BHN Links:

Why did it seem like the Boston Bruins were killing Washington Capitals penalties for more than half of their five-game series? My partner-in-crime Joe Haggerty has more on the Bruins working to stop the constant prade to the sin-bin. (BHN)

Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin is confident he can get a contract extension done with the Caps. (TSN)

The Montreal Canadiens couldn’t put a puck in the ocean recently so again, why was Cole Caufied watching Games 1 and 2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs from the press box? (Montreal Gazette) 

Former Boston College star goalie and Florida Panthers rookie phenom Spencer Knight has arrived and possibly just in time to save the Panthers from losing in the first round again. (Florida Hockey Now)

Josh Bailey and Ilya Sorokin were the heroes in an amazing comeback win for the New York Islanders over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 5. (NYI Hockey Now)

Dan Kingerski looks at what Penguins’ mistakes led to that comeback for the Isles (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

For those who think Ryan O’Reilly’s prediction that the St. Louis Blues would upset the Colorado Avalanche didn’t serve as bulletin board material for the Av’s, think again! (Colorado Hockey Now)