Confirmed: Rask Signs One-Year, $1 Million Contract With Bruins

Tuukka Rask is a Boston Bruins goalie once again.

Rask’s agent confirmed to Boston Hockey Now that a report from PuckPedia early Tuesday afternoon that the winningest goalie in Bruins history will be returning to the team on a one-year, $1 million contract that will pay Rask a pro-rated $545, 000.

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

According to PuckPedia, the Boston Bruins are currently $911,475 above the $81.5 million salary cap.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Providence Bruins released goalie Rask from his professional tryout and a Lehto indicated to BHN that a new contract with the Boston Bruins was imminent.

“He will be part of the Bruins soon,” Lehto told Boston Hockey Now in an email late Tuesday morning.

A team source also confirmed this to BHN.

The team hasn’t made a firm decision yet on what to do with their other two goalies, Linus Ullmark and rookie Jeremy Swayman but the common sentiment around the organization right now is that Swayman will be reassigned to Providence since he doesn’t have to clear waivers. Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy mentioned this last Friday and acknowledged the dilemma carrying three goalies could present.

“We know we have an option with Swayman, he doesn’t have to clear waivers,” Cassidy told the media. “That doesn’t mean he’ll be the guy that has to go. But having one net for three goaltenders, if that’s the case, will be a challenge. But we’ll figure it out. At the end of the day, we’ll do what’s best for the Bruins.”

Cassidy also mentioned that prior to the start of this season, he and the management staff made it clear to Swayman and Ullmark that it was very likely that Rask would become part of the team in January and that Swayman may be reassigned. Both Boston Bruins goalies seem to understand the situation and still do.

After Rask signed the PTO with the Providence Bruins last Thursday, the plan was for him to play in one or both of the two games in Providence Friday and Sunday. That plan got scratched though as both games against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms were postponed thanks to a COVID outbreak with the Phantoms.

“No, I have nothing else other than Providence’s next game is Friday so we’ll have to discuss whether that’s in play or right into our net at some point,” Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy told the media following his team’s game-day skate prior to the Bruins’ 7-3 win over the Washington Capitals Monday night. “So, that’s what the discussion will entail but we have a few days to sort through that so I imagine we’ll get to it tomorrow.”

On Saturday, however, Cassidy did hint that Rask may just end up making his first start back in the NHL with the Boston Bruins.

“To be honest, I’m not sure when he’s going to play,” Cassidy said Saturday. “We’ll try to get him some game action wherever we can. He might have to start playing here and miss some assignments in Providence. We’ll have to make that decision when we get back.”

The read here is that if, as expected the Boston Bruins go with a Rask-Ullmark rotation and send Swayman to Providence, Swayman will start for the Bruins against the Montreal Canadiens at TD Garden Wednesday and be reassigned to the AHL on Thursday so he can reacclimate and be ready for action in Providence this weekend. Ullmark will likely start Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers and Rask will make his grand return and season debut on Saturday in a 1 PM ET matinee against the Nashville Predators at TD Garden.