Tuukka Rask hopes to remain a Boston Bruin

After reports earlier in the week that Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney was taking calls on goaltender Tuukka Rask, the hockey community dove in trying to speculate what the reasoning was behind it.

Since then, Sweeney has come out and said that he is not going to move the longtime franchise netminder, but the fact that the rumours came from such credible sources likely means there was at least some communication between Sweeney and other general managers. Regardless, Rask, who was speaking to the media for the first time since opting out of the NHL playoffs in mid-August, made it clear he does not want to be traded.

“I think Sweeney came out and said that's not going to happen,” Rask said. “I don't want to play for anybody else but the Bruins.”

While the 33-year-old didn't flat out say he would retire if he were to be traded, his comments will likely have any team thinking about trading for him think twice before doing so, as he doesn't sound like he would be very happy to start with a new team.

“I don't see a reason for that,” when asked about the possibility of a trade. “I've been here for a long time and the organization's been so great for me. We've built our home in Boston and we call this home. So, yeah, I don't want to play for anybody else. I think where my head's at is focusing on next year and then hopefully a couple more years after that and then pass the torch for the next guy after that. I want to help the organization as much as I can.”

This will certainly be reassuring for Bruins fans to hear, as trading Rask doesn't seem to make much sense for the team. Though he is starting to age, he is highly regarded and has been for quite some time as one of the best goalies in the NHL. This past season was no different, as he posted a 2.12 goals against and a .929 save percentage, along with a 26-8-6 record.

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