Chiarelli On Toucher & Rich: Bruins Ready To Pay Tuukka As Elite Goalie
BOSTON (CBS) - Boston Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask is not only heading to the Stanley Cup Finals, he's also heading towards a summer of free agency.
After his tremendous playoff run into the Cup finals, the Bruins know they'll have to pay him like an elite goalie when the time comes.
"Of course he will. We'll have to sign him and he'll get a raise," Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli said of Tuukka Tuesday morning on 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich. "He's had a terrific playoffs and he'll be paid handsomely."
"There's no surprise that we'll have to pay Tuukka. It's easier to sign him the more success he has," added Chiarelli.
Rask is 12-4 this postseason with an NHL-leading .943 save percentage.
But before they can get to anything this off-season, Boston now has the Chicago Blackhawks in their way of raising the Stanley Cup once again. After sweeping the Penguins, the top-seed in the East, the Bruins now face a similar foe in Chicago.
"They're probably a little more speed than physical than Pittsburgh, so that's where it's different," Chiarelli said of Chicago. "We have to get our fore-check in properly, and if you don't they're countering a lot more quicker than Pittsburgh."
Chiarelli also commented on Boston's sweep of the Penguins, and the inspiring play of forward Gregory Campbell in Game 3 against Pittsburgh.
