While much of the attention recently has been on the possibility of David Krejci returning to the Bruins at some point down the line, there are still questions about that other longtime Bruin who may or may not be back this season: Tuukka Rask.
Rask underwent surgery on a torn labrum in his hip in late July and was recently spotted at the Guns N' Roses and Zac Brown Band concerts at Fenway Park -- once with crutches, once without.
He said after the season that he was hoping to keep playing, but that he would see how the surgery and rehab go. Bruins general manager Don Sweeney has repeatedly said the team is leaving the door open for a possible Rask return.
However, Sweeney and the Bruins also committed real money to the goaltending position this summer, signing free agent Linus Ullmark to a four-year, $20 million deal. If Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman -- who was excellent in his first 10 NHL starts last season -- are both healthy and playing well, it's unclear exactly where Rask would fit in, never mind the fact that Boston is currently right up against the salary cap.
As far as star defenseman Charlie McAvoy is concerned, it's a good problem to have.
"It's a luxurious problem to have," McAvoy recently told NHL.com at the Smashfest Charity Ping-Pong Challenge. "We have great depth at the goalie position.
"We have Swayman and Ullmark, and Tuukka is rehabbing now ... and we absolutely love Tuukks," McAvoy said. "I think he's the best goaltender in the NHL. So if you're able to bring him back into the fold, like I said, it's a luxurious problem to have. I'm really excited to start the season [with the goalies we have] and then, you know, possibly get Tuukka back at some point."
McAvoy also addressed Krejci's departure, saying he's excited for him and his family while acknowledging a return could be a possibility.
"He's been just a thrill to play with and has made me such a better player," McAvoy said. "I've enjoyed every second sharing the ice with him. I'm very excited for him and his family. ... He's going back to Czech Republic and it sounds as though this is exactly what he wants to do, and he deserves to do exactly what he wants to do.
"He's had an unbelievable career, and I guess it's still open-ended. Maybe we'll see him again."
