NHL Trade Rumors: Boston Bruins shopping Tuukka Rask
According to the latest NHL trade rumors, the Boston Bruins have been checking interest around the league in goaltender Tuukka Rask.
This NHL offseason should be crazier than most. With many teams struggling thanks to the novel coronavirus pandemic and a flat salary cap ceiling, the trade market could be booming. According to the latest NHL trade rumors, the goaltending market could have yet another top-notch goalie enter it. That goalie? Boston Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask.
In his latest Trade Bait article, Frank Seravalli had Rask listed 10th on his list. He also had some other interesting names in his top 10, including Rask’s teammate Jake DeBrusk.
Here’s what Seravalli had to say about Rask, whose inclusion on the list raised quite a few eyebrows.
Multiple sources indicate that Bruins GM Don Sweeney has initiated conversations with teams about Rask’s market value over the last number of weeks.
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Rask has one year left on his deal with a $7 million cap hit. Officially, he’s due $6.5 million (all salary) next season. Even at 33 years old, Rask remains one of the NHL’s best goaltenders. He recently finished second in the Vezina Trophy voting.
So Why Are The Bruins Shopping Rask?
It’s a bit confusing why the Bruins are even shopping Rask in the first place. He’s been terrific for the Bruins and deserves to stay in Boston as long as it’s financially possible for him to remain there. The Bruins certainly don’t have any cap issues, though they reportedly have been hit a bit hard financially and won’t spend to the cap next season.
Here’s the thing about trading Tuukka Rask (or any player for that matter). It’s not just about getting rid of them. You also have to figure out who’s going to replace them. The Bruins had a very good thing going with the Rask and Jaroslav Halak tandem. Why mess with it?
And, pray tell, who would the Bruins replace Rask with? Surely not Daniel Vladar, who would be playing a pretty big role in his rookie season on a team that’s looking to win now rather than later. Unless the Bruins have a plan to replace Rask with someone like Darcy Kuemper or another good goalie, trading Rask couldn’t make less sense.
People might say they want to trade him because he left the postseason, but his teammates fully supported him. The Bruins came out and supported his decision. Trading Rask would betray that trust they have him in, no?
Next. Top 5 Trade Candidates This Offseason. dark
Also, Rask absolutely made the right decision there. He left the bubble because his family was having health problems. That’s a totally reasonable thing to do and it shouldn’t have any effect on whether or not Rask is traded. If it does, the Bruins would be cutting off their nose to spite their face.