Boston Bruins Keep The Top Goaltender Tandem In the League, Agree To An Extension With Jaroslav Halak

By Jordan Long

Although the sports world is on hold in North America due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that didn’t stop the Boston Bruins from agreeing to a new contract extension with their goaltender Jaroslav Halak .  The deal keeps him in Boston for 1 more year, paying him $2.25 million.

                Halak was in his 2^nd season with the Bruins.  Before the season shut down on March 12^th, he split time with Tuuka Rask.   Rask is the better of the two goaltenders going 26-8-6 with a goals against average of 2.12.   The Bruins could also trust Halak between the pipes.  His record is 18-6-6 with a goals against average of 2.39.  Both of them helped the Bruins to a 44-14-12 record with 100 points, the most in the NHL at the time play was halted.

                The Bruins knew Halak can be either a starter or help in the backup role.  If the playoffs began, who knows which goaltender the Bruins would have called upon.  It might have been Rask, but if he struggled Halak could have handled the duties.  We may never know especially if the NHL decides it is unsafe to resume play this year.

                Halak’s contract was set to expire after this season.  They didn’t want to risk losing him in free agency.  With his ability, a franchise could have offered him a long-term contract to be their goaltender for years to come.   The Bruins decided it was time to agree to an extension so he didn’t enter free agency.   The Bruins might have the best goaltender tandem in the league.

                The Bruins will have Halak and Rask for next year.   Both of their contracts are set to expire after 2021.   If both of them play well, it may be difficult to keep both of them once the 2021 season ends.  Halak and Rask might possibly ask for larger contracts that would hurt the cap space for the Bruins.                

For now, the Bruins are set with their goaltenders.  If the NHL decides to resume the season, the Bruins are a tough team to face because of their play in the net.  Teams have a difficult time scoring on them.  They don’t allow rebound chances.  It takes a screen in front of them or a lucky bounce from the puck to find the back of the net on them.  Even if the year doesn’t continue and the NHL starts play in 2021, the Bruins should be the favorites to win the Cup.