Boston, MA – The Boston Bruins solidified their future in the crease on Wednesday, signing restricted free agent goaltender Tuukka Rask to a contract extension worth $56 million over eight years.
Rask emerged from the shadow of the departed Tim Thomas during the truncated 2013 season, posting a 19-10-5 record, 2.00 goals-against average and .929 save percentage while tying a career high with five shutouts in the regular season -- his first as the starter.
The 26-year-old Finn backed it up with a Conn Smythe-worthy postseason performance, leading the B's within two victories of their second Stanley Cup in three seasons thanks to a 14-8 mark, an NHL-best .940 save percentage, a 1.88 GAA and three whitewashes.
His finest achievement came in the Eastern Conference finals against Pittsburgh, when Rask yielded just two goals in a four-game sweep against the Penguins, the presumptive Cup favorites and the top offense in the conference during the regular-season.
Those efforts more than repaid the faith the Bruins had in Rask after the club signed him to a one-year extension worth $3.5 million at this time last year.
In six NHL seasons -- all with Boston -- Rask has gone 66-45-16 with a 2.15 GAA and 16 shutouts over 138 regular-season appearances, while also carrying a 21-14 record and 2.14 GAA in 35 playoff tilts.
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