NHL Trade Rumors: Top 3 teams who should trade for Tuukka Rask
According to the latest NHL trade rumors, the Boston Bruins are listening to offers for Tuukka Rask. Which 3 teams would make sense for him?
The trade market is booming after the latest TSN Trade Bait article from Frank Seravalli. One of the more interesting names on his list is Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask, who is 10th overall. According to the latest NHL trade rumors, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney has been gauging interest in his Vezina Trophy runner up.
Rask has one year left on his contract before becoming an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career. He has a $7 million cap hit and a modified no-trade clause, which allows him to submit a list of 15 teams he can be traded to.
Here’s what Seravalli had to say about Rask.
But multiple sources indicate that Bruins GM Don Sweeney has initiated conversations with teams about Rask’s market value over the last number of weeks.
The Bruins are trying to cut some salary because the pandemic has left their ownership group struggling. With just one year left on his deal, it’s not completely surprising the Bruins are listen to offers for Rask. What’s surprising is he’s still a very good goalie, so even if they do trade him, they’ll have to find another goalie.
His modified no-trade clause means Rask could theoretically block a trade to any team that needs a goalie, which would make it very hard for the Bruins to trade him. Due to the flat salary cap, the Bruins are likely either going to have to retain some salary or take on a contract to make trading him possible.
It’s very unlikely the Bruins will trade Rask. But who would be interested in him? I’d imagine Rask will make it so he’ll only be able to be traded to a contender. And the Bruins will probably accommodate his wishes. So let’s look at three teams who would be the best fit for Rask.
3. Colorado Avalanche
Should the Bruins trade Rask, it’s very likely they’d prefer to trade him to a team in the Western Conference. If that’s the case, the Colorado Avalanche would make a great deal of sense. Though they seem perfectly content with their current goaltending tandem of Philipp Grubauer and Pavel Francouz, that might change if someone with Rask’s resume becomes available.
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The Avalanche have by far enough cap space to accommodate him, as they have over $20 million of cap space. One has to imagine the Avs will first take care of their own RFAs and UFAs they’d like to re-sign before pondering this, but they should still be in pretty good shape even after re-signing their guys.
Rask could be a missing piece of the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup puzzle. Throughout his career, Rask has been one of the most consistent goalies in the NHL. Yes, they’d have to move on from either Grubauer or Francouz, but no matter which one they decide to keep, that goalie would form an impressive tandem with Rask.
Potential Trade Package
Could the Bruins be interested in Nikita Zadorov? They’re about to lose Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara‘s future isn’t set in stone yet. If both leave, the Bruins would be shorthanded on the left side. Zadorov could provide insurance.
A goaltender swap could make sense here as well. The Bruins would need a replacement for Rask if they trade him. They could elect to go with a tandem of Jaroslav Halak and one of the Avalanche goaltenders.
2. Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are looking to add a goalie this offseason. While they don’t have nearly as much cap space as the Colorado Avalanche, a trade for Rask would still make sense for the Oilers.
If you look at the past few seasons, Rask has done quite well in a tandem. Give credit to the Bruins for being ahead of everyone else and realizing the importance of keeping your starting goalie fresh. The Oilers will have a tandem next season, so they could accommodate Rask.
Mikko Koskinen is a fine goalie, but he’s probably closer to being a backup than a true starting goalie. Rask could slot in as the starter and put Koskinen in a more appropriate “1b” role. He’d probably start about 35 games in an 82 game seasons, give or take a few games.
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Potential Trade Package
This one’s a bit tricky. The Oilers would need the Bruins to retain 50% of Rask’s contract. Otherwise, trading for him doesn’t really make much sense. But what do the Oilers have to offer the Bruins?
One of the main issues with the Oilers is they don’t have too many draft picks. They are currently without a second-round in both the 2020 and 2021 NHL Drafts. Additionally, the Oilers won’t have a third-round pick in one of those two drafts.
The Bruins might have some interest in Caleb Jones or Alex Chiasson, but ultimately, I think this deal will boil down to a first-round pick for Rask (50% retained).
1. Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are looking to upgrade their goaltending this offseason. But much like the Avalanche, they’ll have to move out a goaltender to do it. Luckily, the Hurricanes have two quality goaltenders and should have no problem moving one of them.
Also, let’s keep in mind Carolina is a fairly young team. The Hurricanes were the fifth-youngest team in the NHL last season, per Hockey Reference. They would have been even younger had it not been for Justin Williams. Rask would give the Hurricanes a veteran presence and an upgrade in net.
While the Hurricanes would love to have Rask, it’s fair to question if the Bruins would trade their starting goalie to a direct competitor. But let’s keep in mind Rask has a 15-team trade list. What if he basically forces his way into Carolina? Or at least an Eastern Conference team?
Potential Trade Package
Reimer would immediately replace Rask. Of course, the Bruins would have to bank on Reimer and Halak forming a quality tandem. Both have been very good in tandems in the past, which is encouraging. However, the Bruins wouldn’t have a “true” number one goalie. That’s a risk they’d have to assume here.
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If Boston retains 25% of Rask’s salary, that would lower his cap hit to $5.25 million. It would also save the Bruins a shade under $2 million after factoring in Reimer’s contract. $5.25 million would be much easier for the Hurricanes.