Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Bruins announced on Sunday that goaltender Jonas Gustavsson was signed to a one year contract with a $700,000 cap hit.
Puck Prose
The six-foot-four, 212 pound Swede was signed to a PTO with the Bruins, and clearly showed that he was the best-fit for the backup job behind Tuukka Rask for the 2015-16 season. Coming off of a solid three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, compiling a 21-10-6 record through 41 games over that time, Gustavsson will provide reliable relief for Rask, who didn’t get that from Niklas Svedberg last season. Prior to his time with the Red Wings, Gustavsson also spent three seasons with the Toronto Maples Leafs.
The veteran goaltender has played in a total of 148 NHL games, and has posted a record of 60-55-21 with a goal against average of 2.89 and a save percentage of .901 in that time. Gustavsson was in a fierce competition with Jeremy Smith for the back-up role throughout training camp, and clearly the Bruins valued the experience that Gustavsson could provide, whereas Smith has zero games played in the NHL. It isn’t out of the question for Smith to be called up at some point in the season to play a game or two, especially if an injury should occur to Rask of Gustavsson.
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When discussing the possibility of earning a role on the Bruins, Gustavsson was adamant about wanting to play with the Bruins, and acknowledged that good can always be better. “I mean, you can always do better,” said Gustavsson after his final preseason game. “That’s the mentality I have, at least. That’s what drives me and makes me want to get better.” Gustavsson also knew that all he could do was play, as the decision was ultimately not his. “It’s not up to me to make those decisions,” Gustavsson said. “I’m just trying to do whatever I can out there when I get the chance. That’s all I can do. So far, I feel like I’ve been trying to prepare myself as good as possible for practices and games, and that’s all I can do.”
Gustavsson clearly did enough as he is ending training camp with a job playing for yet another original six franchise. This signing should lead to another split-start tandem between Jeremy Smith and Malcolm Subban in the AHL, and potentially Zane McIntyre starting the season in the ECHL.
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