With the future of Boston Bruins goaltender, Tuukka Rask unknown, it is time for the Bruins to begin looking at potential goaltenders for the future. The Bruins do have a little bit of time to look for their future goalie because Rask is most likely to continue playing through next season, but after that is unknown.
The Bruins will likely look at this year’s draft to potentially find a goaltender, but they do also have some goaltending prospects in their system that will also be vying for that starting spot in the future. So lat’s take a look at some of the in house options the Bruins could go with if Rask does decide to hang up his skates after next season.
Jeremy Swayman
Jeremy Swayman, a former 4th round pick by the Bruins in 2017 has been killing it for the University of Maine this season. He has been one of the best goaltenders in NCAA Hockey this year holding an 18-11-5 record with an impressive .939 save percentage. Obviously he isn’t facing professional competition, but the Bruins believe that he can make an impact in coming years considering they just signed him to a three year entry level contract with the Bruins. So whenever the season starts up again, he will get an opportunity to compete at the professional level. If Swayman can maintain his level of play into the AHL, I would consider him a frontrunner to be the Bruins future goaltender.
Kyle Keyser
Kyle Keyser has had a rough season this year, but had been a solid goaltender in the OHL for the Oshawa Generals in the past. This year was his first year experiencing professional hockey in the AHL and it is safe to say he had his struggles. Keyser appeared in 6 games and posted a 1-4-2 record with a rough .890 save percentage. Keyser was eventually sent to the ECHL to play for the Atlanta Gladiators where he has only played in one game where allowed 4 goals on just 22 shots faced. Keyser will definitely need to improve his play through next year if he even wants to be considered to be a back up in the 2021 season.
Dan Vladar
Dan Vladar has been great for the Providence Bruins this season putting up a 14-7-1 record with an exceptional .936 save percentage in 25 games played. Vladar is also a guy who has great size for a goaltender standing at 6 foot 5 inches, he takes up a lot of the net. If Vladar can continue his play in Providence he will definitely get consideration to be at least a backup in the next two seasons.
The Bruins may be getting a blessing in disguise here as Rask has made it known that he is unsure about continuing to play after his contract is up. Obviously it will be tough to replace such a top tier goaltender like he is, but it is nice that he is giving the Bruins a big heads up well before he decides to retire. By doing this he is allowing the Bruins front office to find their next goaltender for the future now rather than scrambling for a starting goaltender if Rask had abruptly decided to retire without warning.
Potential Tuukka Risk replacements
By Jonathan Hopkins
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March 27, 2020
About the Writer
Jonathan Hopkins, Sports Editor