Rask appears up to the task if Bruins call
On Saturday morning, the Bruins determined that goaltender Manny Fernandez was not fit to back up Tim Thomas that afternoon because of an undisclosed injury (termed minor by coach Claude Julien). General manager Peter Chiarelli dialed up Tuukka Rask to inform the second-year North American pro that he'd be coming up on emergency recall.
Rask never answered the GM's call. He was already at work.
When Chiarelli called, Rask and his AHL teammates were at the
Rask needed no additional urging to hustle to the game, a 5-1 Boston win over Carolina.
"Thank God there was no traffic," Rask said. "I had to drive fast."
Chiarelli and the Bruins have had to preach patience to Rask, who has been in a hurry to leave Providence to make his eventual home in the NHL. Rask was the best Boston netminder in training camp, going 1-0-1 with a 1.48 goals-against average and a .952 save percentage, and he was disappointed when he was sent to Providence in the second-to-last round of preseason cuts.
Ever since, the message to Rask is that he'll eventually be a permanent Boston resident. Given that the Bruins are unlikely to re-sign both Thomas and Fernandez, who are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents July 1, it's just about guaranteed that Rask will be one of Boston's two big-league goalies in 2009-10 - if not sooner. Rask has a $3.2 million annual cap hit if he plays in the NHL this season or next. The figure would be pro-rated if he's recalled again this season.
The Bruins have the sharpest netminding tandem in the NHL with Thomas (17-4-3, 2.08 GAA, .933 save percentage) and Fernandez (14-3-1, 2.07 GAA, .928 save percentage), and might consider it too risky, considering their first-place standing in the Eastern Conference, to bust up the duo via trade.
However, if the Bruins still consider Fernandez a tradeable asset - a top-four defenseman the hoped-for return - Rask would be in line for a promotion before the March 4 deadline. By combining his pedigree (first-round pick in 2005; pro experience with Ilves Tampere in the Finnish Elite League; size, athleticism, and technique required of No. 1 goalies) and his AHL performance this season, Rask appears more prepared to become a full-time NHL netminder than he did last year, when he was forced into big-league duty far earlier than hoped for.
"I'm getting more used to this style of play," Rask said of the close-quarters North American game. "It's not a big difference. But maybe I'm more consistent day by day."
In 2007-08, his first year Stateside, Rask played behind a Providence juggernaut that rumbled through the regular season with the AHL's best record. The P-Bruins, led by current Islanders coach Scott Gordon, allowed an average of only 23.4 shots in each of Rask's 45 appearances (27-13-2, 2.33 GAA, .905 save percentage).
This season, Providence is a less experienced team, and Rask has felt the difference. Rask (17-13-0, 2.42 GAA, .919 save percentage) has faced 29.3 shots per appearance, and already has lost as many games as he did during the 2007-08 season.
But that's not necessarily a bad thing. "I feel more in the game," Rask said. "Last year, I had some games where I only had about 10 shots. I almost felt cold out there at times."
Last season, the plan was for Rask to be introduced slowly to North American play. He shared time with veteran Jordan Sigalet in Providence. Because of injuries to Thomas (groin) and Fernandez (knee), Rask served as a big-league backup for 16 games and appeared in four NHL matches.
This year, the Bruins have tabbed Rask as the No. 1 goalie in Providence ahead of Kevin Regan. The blueprint: build up Rask (currently playing at 175 pounds), give him most of the action (second only to Springfield's Devan Dubnyk in minutes played), and have him understand what it's like to be a No. 1, especially for a younger team.
"I know I'm going to get a lot of games," Rask said.
As expected of a 21-year-old goalie, Rask has buckled at times. On Dec. 27, he allowed six goals in a loss to Lowell. But he also has posted three shutouts, two more than last season.
In 2005, Rask was selected 21st overall, 16 slots after Montreal tabbed Carey Price with the No. 5 pick. Price already has played in 66 NHL games. Framed against the young Hab's accomplishments already, it's been a challenge for Rask to remain patient.
Rask's turn, however, isn't far away.
Fluto Shinzawa can be reached at fshinzawa@globe.com. 