Boston Bruins: Dan Vladar deal could mean Tuukka Rask is gone

The signing of Dan Vladar by the Boston Bruins was interesting to begin with, but could it mean that Tuukka Rask is on his way out.

The goaltending situation with the Boston Bruins got a lot more interesting in recent weeks. The future of the position is a lot less solid than it might have seemed before.

Prior to the bubble, it seemed like Tuukka Rask was cemented as the starter. He was coming off a great season and still looked like one of the best goaltenders in the NHL.

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But then Rask decided to leave the bubble due to a medical emergency involving his family. No one can blame Rask for leaving, but people have wondered if his days in Boston are numbered.

The latest news coming out of Boston has raised some eyebrows. In the middle of Game One against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Bruins signed Dan Vladar to a three-year deal.

Normally this wouldn’t seem like a big move. Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak are getting older so why not sign Vladar to a long term deal? It shows that the Bruins trust him.

But could this be the end for the Rask? Is he retiring or is Boston forcing him out? These are all the questions fans are asking after Rask has left the bubble.

If Rask wants to retire, more power to him. He values his family immensely and has talked about retirement before. Now that his family had a medical emergency that has to be in his mind again.

Now if Boston is trying to force Rask out that is a bad look. One hopes that this isn’t the case since his teammates and coaches were so supportive.

Also, there is an important stipulation in Vladar’s contract. The third year of the deal is one way. That makes it seem like Vladar will be starting sooner rather than later. The question is whether he will be Rask’s backup or will he be the starting goaltender?

Boston Bruins fans might get their first look at Vladar in Game Three. Boston might want to rest Halak instead of playing him in back to back games. It would be Vladar’s first start of his young NHL career.

So the Bruins are investing a lot in Vladar, but could it mean that Rask is on his way out in Boston? We will just have to wait and see.