Today at Bruins Development Camp, it was reported that the Bruins and goalie Tuukka Rask were nearing an agreement on a new contract. Later on this afternoon, word came down from TSN's Bob McKenzie that the Bruins had agreed to a deal in principle with Rask on a one year, $3.5M deal. It was also reported that Tuukka started throwing milk crates around to celebrate the new deal.
Ok, I lied about the second report. But let's face it, chances are he threw milk crates around.
In case you have absolutely no idea what I'm referencing, here's where the milk crate joke comes from.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUVGz0MVyKI]
Pretty funny eh?
Anyways, I know a lot of people are complaining that the deal isn't long term. But, here's the thing. This is actually a really good deal for the Bruins. Here's why.
Rask has yet to go a full season in which he is the go to goalie from the start. Yeah yeah, 2010 and all, but he wasn't the go to goalie all year. Thomas got every start until they were about 1/3 of the way through the year before Rask was made the starter. There still is no proof that he can handle the load of being a #1 goalie. Second, he's coming off of injuries in the past two seasons. He has yet to play a year in the NHL and stay healthy the whole way through. If the Bruins commit to him long term out of panic and Rask flames out, they're fucked. With a one year deal, they can see how he does. If he flames out, they cut him loose and move on with Khudobin, Subban, Svedberg, Volmer, Gotherberg, etc. If he plays well, they give him a long term deal and make him their #1 golaie for years to come.
Elementary, my dear readers.
Seriously though, that's exactly why it's only a one year deal.
Here's the catch though. Next season, Seguin, Marchand, Rask, and Lucic are all RFAs. Horton and Ference are both UFAs.
Woof.
I get the feeling more and more that this will be the "year of the extensions".
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