As is the case just about every offseason, there are plenty of NHL clubs in desperate need of goaltending for the 2020-21 campaign.
Most years, a scarce supply of competent netminding talent often leads to a panicked feeding frenzy among the teams with deep pockets (and shallow decision making among the top brass.)
But as luck would have it, the market is absolutely inundated this fall with both established and intriguing options for teams in need of stability between the pipes — whether it be UFA targets like Jacob Markstrom, Braden Holtby, Corey Crawford, Anton Khudobin, Henrik Lundqvist and more, or RFAs and other trade chips such as Matt Murray, Marc-Andre Fleury and Darcy Kuemper.
But few among that pool of proven NHL goalie can offer the potential return that Tuukka Rask could bring, especially for a contending team that believes it's right on the cusp of an extended push for the Stanley Cup.
We've already delved into the rumors surrounding Rask's future with Boston, along with the rather evident risks that come with parting ways with a franchise goalie — especially if Don Sweeney and Co. still believe this core is capable of orchestrating another deep run in 2020-21
Now, if the Bruins do indeed opt to completely upend their roster and trade Rask, such a franchise-altering move will only be facilitated if a pair of conditions are met:
- Boston has secured a contingency plan in net beyond just rolling out Jaroslav Halak and Dan Vladar in 2020-21, with this robust goalie market offering a chance for the B's to snag another competent, cheaper (albeit likely not as effective) option in net.
- Boston received a great return from whatever team swapped assets to acquire Rask for the final year of his eight-year contract.
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