Peter Chiarelli wanted to wrap this up on Friday, but either way it's still done. Tuukka Rask gone got paid, yo.
Eight-year contract for Rask. His salary is worth an annual cap figure of $7,000,000 ^CS
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) July 10, 2013
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Rask's salary is on par with Pekka Rinne and Jonathan Quick,if you're wondering.
For those think that's really high. Well, it is but…
Rask was arbitration eligible. Might have scored $7M-plus in arb.
— Fluto Shinzawa (@GlobeFluto) July 10, 2013
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
It's a lot of money and a ton of years for a position that's always in flux, but Rask had the Bruins in a corner. With how he played this past season and with Khudobin leaving for Carolina and no reliable UFA goaltenders in the market, Chia sort of had to bend to Rask and his agent's will. But at least Tuukka proved he can play in the big spotlight for the Bruins. He carried the team for a lot of the post-season and his playoff numbers were on par with Tim Thomas's 2011 Cup run.
It comes down to we rather have Rask at 8 years than 0 years. We're curious if he got a NTC/NMC, though.
For those who still think Tuukka Rask isn't a top tier goaltender than we don't know what to tell you other than get your eyes check or stop watching hockey. The stats don't lie. The big games don't lie.
During the regular season Tuukka had a .929 SV% and a 2.00 GAA. He got even better during the playoffs. He led the playoff with a .940 SV% and shutouts (3), while also earning a 1.88 GAA.
More stats:
According to Capgeek the Bruins are $1.3M over the caplimit, but we don't think that includes the LTIR cap relief the team gets for Marc Savard ($4.5M)
Now we just wait for Bergeron to sign. Bergeron has one year left on his deal so Chiarelli has time to play with contract numbers and his cap situation for next season. The cap is also expected to go back up for the 2014-2015 season.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
