BOSTON -- Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli explained before Thursday night's game with the Canadiens why he extended the contract of 22-year-old goaltender Tuukka Rask even though Rask would have been just a restricted free agent next summer.
"I guess you have to change with the times," said Chiarelli, who prior to this season had negotiated most of his contract extensions during the offseason. In addition to Rask, Chiarelli signed Milan Lucic to an extension earlier this season.
"I went through it this summer. I went through it with Phil [Kessel] and Toronto. So I have to consider that in the equation now."
So instead of risking another team's signing Rask to an offer sheet or being forced to deal Rask should offseason negotiations go sour (as was the case with Kessel), Chiarelli made sure that his goaltending situation would be settled for the next couple of seasons. This spring, veteran goaltender Tim Thomas signed a four-year extension.
Rask has been the Bruins' top prospect since he was acquired from Toronto on June 24, 2006. After his second season in his native Finland, Rask came to North America in 2007 and honed his skills with Boston's Providence farm club. This season, Rask earned a spot on the opening night roster for the first time. In four games this season, he has a 2-1-1 record and a 2.41 goals-against average.
"We liked what we saw in each of the camps. We saw progression in his training camps," Chiarelli said, adding that negotiation with Rask's representatives started during training camp. "We saw progression in the American Hockey League. And it was enough for us to decide to come to a deal."
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