Boston Bruins: Who Will Back Up Tuukka Rask
The Boston Bruins solved some of their problems in the first days of free agency. With the signing of key forwards and a pair of goaltenders, the B’s are looking a lot better than they were on draft day. The Boston Bruins now have three goaltenders battling for the number two job behind Tuukka Rask.
Live Feed
Puck Prose
The Bruins could still throw the fans a curve ball by trading one of their goaltenders. If the Bruins do trade a net minder, it’s going to be Malcolm Subban. He’s got the family name, and he’s not terrible in the crease. He had some rough games, and I’m sure he’d want to take back that rough showing against the St. Louis Blues last season. Of the three prospective goaltenders, he brings the most value to a trade.
The Bruins have resisted moving him before, but now they have enough goaltenders and cap space to make a move that would make the team better today. Now might be the time to make that move. So, if the Bruins move Subban as part of a trade or a package deal, who would be the better candidate to wear the ‘B’ come October?
More from Bruins News
- Bruins release Prospects Challenge roster, schedule Tuesday
- Bruins bringing back familiar forward on tryout contract
- The Bruins should take a look at these four free agents
- NHL Network lists Ullmark as sixth-best goalie in the league
- The Lasting Legacy of David Krejci
Jeremy Smith did a surprisingly good job in Providence last season. Smith was supposed to be nothing more than a temporary rental, but he worked himself up from a backup to sharing the crease with Malcolm Subban. Smith certainly had the better numbers, and if you watched him in Providence he was the better goaltender there. The Bruins just resigned him for a two-way contract worth $600,000 at the NHL level. He’s dependable and he’s cheap.
If the Bruins choose not to move Subban, he’s still not ready to be a NHL goaltender. He tends to over think plays (in the same manner that doomed Matt Bartkowski). His greatest liability is his consistent inconsistency. He will have thirty-five save shutout games, followed by games where he lets in five on twenty-two. His best bet is to spend another season playing at the AHL level. Yes, he should be called up for a game or two (hopefully Don Sweeney will have the judicious sense to have him play a weaker squad rather than repeating Peter Chiarelli’s error), and maybe he’ll have a strong training camp.
Zane McIntyre was just signed as well as to an entry-level contract. He took the University of North Dakota to the Frozen Four last season, and both he and the Bruins were keen on getting a deal done during this offseason. McIntyre is the biggest ‘X factor’ for the Bruins candidates. While it is highly likely he’ll play in Providence, Don Sweeney has already thrown us a few serious curve balls when it comes to managing his roster.
Causeway Crowd’s Prediction For The Bruins (NHL/AHL) opening night roster:
Boston Bruins – Tuukka Rask, Jeremy Smith
Providence Bruins – Malcolm Subban, Zane McIntyre