Why Tuukka Rask’s Injury Might Change Trade Plans
By Scott Roche
When Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask was skating to the bench at the end of the third period on March 7 against the New Jersey Devils with his team trailing, 1-0, the veteran netminder grabbed his back heading off the ice for the extra skater.
Rask would miss the next six games and combined with the Bruins COVID-19 protocols shutdown that lasted a week, Rask would spend 18 days out of action, before returning on March 25 at home against the New York Islanders. Unfortunately for Rask and the Bruins, that return lasted just 20 minutes.
Coach Bruce Cassidy pulled Rask from the game between the first and second periods after making six saves in what turned out to be a 4-3 overtime loss for Boston after suffering an upper-body injury. Since that night eight days ago, Cassidy, general manager Don Sweeney, and the Bruins have been quiet about Rask’s health, which is concerning.
Every day that goes by where there is no update, the silence is becoming deafening. Monday, Cassidy said that he expected to go this week with Jaroslav Halak and rookie Dan Vladar in net, but the closer the calendar turns towards the April 12 trade deadline, not having an update on Rask is something that could change the Bruins target by 3 p.m. on the 12th.
It’s no secret that the Bruins need a forward or two to supply more offense for a team struggling to put the puck in the net. There are several options that will be available that could be a fit for the Black and Gold.
When the Bruins went younger on defense this season, they knew there would be growing pains. While those growing pains have become more noticeable in the last week, the unit has also been devastated by injuries. A top-four defenseman would be a nice addition, but what would the cost be? Would it be worth it for a team struggling to hold onto fourth place?
But what happens if Rask is going to be sidelined for a substantial amount of time? Do the Bruins become a player on the trade market or do they not risk the future for a team that will finish the season with Halak and Vladar between the pipes? Or do I say that Boston becomes a seller?
We saw what happened last summer in the Toronto playoff bubble after Rask left. Halak and Vladar were good enough to finish off the series with the Carolina Hurricanes, but when they went toe to toe with the Tampa Bay Lightning, they were overmatched.
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Rask’s injury could affect what Sweeney and the Bruins decide to do a week from Monday at the trade deadline. Do the Bruins go all-in for a team that most likely will finish not higher than fourth place in the East Division or do they not make a big move and stay pat and go with what they have and see where it gets them? We will find out soon enough.