For the first time since 2013, Tuukka Rask is entering the playoffs without a contract for next season. Questions about the goaltender's future are entirely fair game — especially when Rask hasn't spoken with the media in two weeks.
The Capitals defeated the Bruins 3-2 Saturday in Game 1 of their playoff series, securing the overtime victory when Nic Dowd deflected T.J. Oshie's shot. It was a soft goal, once again spurring concerns about whether Rask can lead the Bruins to a Stanley Cup victory.
Afterwards, veteran NHL scribe Kevin Paul Dupont of The Boston Globe asked Rask if his playing future is dependent on Boston's postseason performance. "Do you go into these playoffs thinking how these playoffs go will determine whether you want to continue your career after this year, or do you already know where you're going after this season?," Dupont said.
"I haven't really thought of that," Rask responded. "I think I just try to go game-by-game, series-by-series and then see what the future brings after that. Obviously, there's going to be some decisions to be made, but we'll do that when the time's right."
While Rask didn't directly answer Dupont's inquiry, he didn't reject the question, either. Instead, he ruminated about his uncertain future.
Rask doesn't sound like somebody who's committed to playing next season. His ambivalence prompted Dupont to ask a follow-up.
"Health-wise, body-wise, you feel good enough you could go?," Dupont said.
Once again, Rask did not reply affirmatively. "I'm not going to answer that right now," he said with a chuckle. "I'll talk to you after the season. You'll find out."
Talk about a cliffhanger.
Rask's status has been uncertain ever since he opted out of the NHL Bubble last year. After Boston's Game 2 loss to Carolina, Rask expressed apathy about the bubble's staid atmosphere. "To be honest with you it doesn't feel like playoff hockey out there with no fans," he told reporters. "It feels like an exhibition game."
Two days, he went home. After the fact, Rask told The Athletic's Fluto Shinzawa he didn't feel comfortable leaving his wife and three young children at home during the apex of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While only neanderthals would criticize Rask for selecting to be with his family during a global pandemic — hi, Mike Milbury! — his comments indicate he wasn't enthralled with hockey last year. With Rask's eight-year contract expiring, it's only natural to wonder whether he plans to return. He is the starting goalie, and a promising rookie is sitting behind him.
On top of that, Rask has repeatedly stated he's not feeling 100 percent after a back injury kept him out for over a month.
Yes, it is unusual for the starting goalie to be asked about his plans for next season following an overtime Game 1 playoff loss. ESPN hockey aficionado John Buccigross told "Tanguay & Hart" Sunday he thinks Dupont's questions were inappropriate.
"I just don't know if that's the place to ask it, first of all," Buccigross said. "To take his side: The adrenaline is flowing. He's thinking about each game. I thought he was good last night, he as very clam. All the goals were kind of weird. Overall, I thought he was fine."
But these aren't usual times. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, press access is still limited. Prior to Saturday, Rask had not held a media availability since May 3. If he did, perhaps he would've already answered questions about next season.
Reporters are supposed to ask pertinent inquiries. It's hard to think of a situation more important to the Bruins' long-term future than who will be in net going forward.
