Bruins' Rask shares encouraging update following surgery

Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask shares encouraging update following hip surgery

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 8/25/21

Longtime Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask said during an appearance on WEEI's "The Greg Hill Show" Wednesday that he expects to return to the ice in December or January after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip.

Tuukka Rask on @TheGregHillShow

"I'd be ready to go probably around Christmastime, January."
— Logan Mullen (@ByLoganMullen) August 25, 2021

Rask recently completed an eight-year, $56 million contract with the Bruins during the 2020-21 campaign and is a free agent. The 34-year-old is not currently in discussions with the Bruins on a deal but added "the money won't be an issue" because he wants to remain in Boston.

Tuukka Rask on @TheGregHillShow on if he's having active contract talks.

"Not right now. We had good talks with Sweens, and I think we're on the same page. So, we'll see how my rehab goes and hopefully sign a contract."
— Logan Mullen (@ByLoganMullen) August 25, 2021

Tuukka Rask on @TheGregHillShow

"I have no reason to chase the money anymore and go somewhere else. I feel the Bruins are my home, Boston is my home ... The money won't be an issue."
— Logan Mullen (@ByLoganMullen) August 25, 2021

Rask told reporters earlier this summer that he has no plans to play anywhere else and said earlier in the year that he intends to finish his NHL career with the Bruins.

It's unclear when the native of Finland suffered the hip injury. However, he played through it during the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs and led the Bruins into the second round, where they were defeated by the New York Islanders in six games.

Rask finished the 2020-21 regular season with a 15-5-2 record, two shutouts, a 2.28 goals-against average and .913 save percentage. Despite the hip injury, he went 6-4 in the playoffs with a 2.35 GAA and .919 SV%.

With Rask sidelined to begin the 2021-22 campaign, the Bruins signed former Buffalo Sabres goaltender Linus Ullmark to a four-year, $20 million deal. He'll share time in the crease with Jeremy Swayman, who has appeared in just 10 NHL games thus far.

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