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Bruins Extend Rask for Two Years

Although the Bruins have had trouble scoring goals and winning games this season, their goalie situation took a turn towards the future Thursday as the team extended Tuukka Rask’s contract an additional two years through the 2011-12 season.

Regarded as one of the league’s top goaltending prospects, Rask’s contract is to be worth around $2.5 million over the two years, an average of a little less than $1.3 million a year.  

Rask could very well be a starting goalie for any team in the NHL, but for now he serves as Tim Thomas’ back-up and is probably one of the best back-ups in the league. For his career he holds a record of 5-2-2 with a 2.43 GAA and a save percentage of .917. This season he is 2-1-1 with a 2.41 GAA and a .915 save percentage, including a recent shutout of the Edmonton Oilers last Saturday.

The 22-year-old comes relatively cheap and with Thomas sitting at 4-6-1 this season with a 2.44 GAA and a .916 save percentage, it’s not a bad idea to have a viable back-up if the veteran gets injured or needs rest. Thomas is 35 years old and could use a night off every now and then so Rask should get plenty of opportunity to showcase his talent at least once a week.

Tags: Bruins, Tuukka Rask