Niklas Svedberg Rejoins The Bruins
Dec 17, 2014; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Niklas Svedberg (72) makes a save during the second period against Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Bruins defeated the Bruins 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
“It’s been fine so far. But obviously when you haven’t played for a while, you have to practice well, stay out a little bit longer, and try and keep your focus all the time. That’s what it’s all about. It’s a little bit different.”-Niklas Svedberg
The Boston Bruins announced this morning that they have assigned goalie Malcolm Subban to the Providence Bruins (AHL) and recalled Niklas Svedberg back to Boston. Subban was called up on January 30 and served as back up to Tuukka Rask for three games.
Niklas Svedberg was assigned to Providence for a conditioning stint posting a 3-1-0 record and earning himself a 2.76 goals against average and .911 save percentage during that time. He has appeared in 12 games for the big club this season, serving ass Tuukka’s back up, earning a 5-5-0 record with 2 shutouts.
Despite having limited playing time this season, Svedberg is still happy where he is at. He told the Boston Globe in November that;
“It’s been fine so far. But obviously when you haven’t played for a while, you have to practice well, stay out a little bit longer, and try and keep your focus all the time. That’s what it’s all about. It’s a little bit different.”
Niklas Svedberg comes as the third secondary goalie for Tuukka Rask in the past three years, following the footsteps molded by Anton Khudobin (2012-2013) and Chad Johnson (2013-2014).
While we all know that Tuukka Rask isn’t going anywhere, Niklas Svedberg’s emergence as a legitimate NHL goaltender has ignited some trade talks around Causeway Street. However, that’s all they are, talk and rumors. Rask is one of a handful of elite goaltenders in the League who was just shy of bringing home the Stanley Cup two years ago and is the reigning Vezina Trophy winner. Anyone who thinks trading an elite, top-caliber net minder like Rask obviously doesn’t remember the amount of goaltenders the Bruins went through between championships.
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Svedberg hasn’t appeared in a game since Jan. 8 after earning his second shutout of the year while stopping 14 shots against the New Jersey Devils,so the time in Providence makes sense after being a professional door opener for three weeks.
The conditioning stint for Svedberg paired with his recall means that the Bruins are getting ready to utilize him as the playoff stretch nears closer each day. With the Bruins in positioning ready to gear up and bear down, the back up should start to see some ample playing time to rest up Rask.
After a horrible first month of the season, Rask has looked more like himself lately. He currently holds down a .923 save percentage (10th in NHL) and 2.29 GAA. He also earned himself the NHL’s third star of the month for January 2015 after just one regulation loss through the entire month going 7-1-3. Rask appeared in 11 games, allowing 18 goals, giving him a 1.64 goals against average. In total, he made 336 saves on 354 shots last month for a .949 save percentage.
Tuesday night as the Bruins take on the Dallas Stars, it is likely we’ll see Svedberg between the pipes to give Rask some time to get ready for a tough Western Conference road trip ahead.