Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask has opted out of the remainder of the NHL’s Return to Play and Bruins run towards a Stanley Cup.
Of his decision to leave the NHL bubble and the team:
“I want to be with my teammates competing, but at this moment there are things more important than hockey in my life, and that is being with my family. “I want to thank the Bruins and my teammates for their support and wish them success.”
The decision comes at an interesting time as the Bruins are in the midst of a series with the Carolina Hurricanes and head into Saturday tied 1-1 in the first round of that series. It’s a decision that also comes quickly after comments Rask made about the NHL playoffs being boring and “dull at times.”
On a Zoom call with the media, including Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston, GM Don Sweeney suggested that these comments weren’t a factor in Rask’s decision to leave. Instead, he indicated the netminder has a newborn child and two other young children at home and that being away from them proved to be too much of a mental strain.
That said, fans who are ripping Rask for his decision should take a step back and realize what these players are giving up. It was only a matter of time before someone felt too apart from their loved ones to stay.
As Steve Dangle put it on Twitter, “You can do anything for a few days. These guys have been in the bubble for several weeks now and Rask knows how long the playoffs are. This experience has to be mentally exhausting, even moreso than playing in the NHL already is.”
Chris Johnston of Sportsnet added, “Nothing should be read into Tuukka Rask’s decision to leave the NHL bubble regarding his future beyond these playoffs. It’s specific to the moment.” He added, “He’s under contract for one more season with the Bruins.“ Johnston is suggesting with these comments that Rask is not upset with the Bruins nor has he decided not to continue with the team once this specifically odd postseason concludes.
The Bruins GM Don Sweeney said, “We understand completely where Tuukka is coming from.” During a zoom call with reporters, “The Boston Bruins are in full support of why he made this decision.”
Rask will leave a team who won the Presidents’ Trophy and is a favorite to win the Stanley Cup despite some less than stellar play thus far in the postseason. He started in four of five post-season games and posted a 1-3-0 record with a .904 save percentage and 2.57 goals-against average.
