Player Discussion Tuukka Rask - Part 2 (MOD # 598)

[JOKER 192]

That was a big game? That's a lower team. That should be a calendar win.

I love the snarky comment. It must be great being superior to everyone on this site.




Happy time.

Anyone objective enough should have seen this. This tweet doesn't surprise me at all. It's what we have been watching night in night out. That there is anyone defending Rask at this point is what surprises me.

 

[bobbyorr04]

Anyone objective enough should have seen this. This tweet doesn't surprise me at all. It's what we have been watching night in night out. That there is anyone defending Rask at this point is what surprises me.

"Since Jan. 1 Rask has the second worst save percentage of starting goalies at .896", is not surprising to me either, and I have lost some confidence in his game lately.

He definitely needs to be more consistent for a $7 million goalie, and like some fans have said....."he's needs to look like he gives a **** in BIG games"!

 

[ashnathan]

Id like to know if hes facing any more high danger chances than he was earlier in season, me thinks no. I think hes in a mini slump that we havent noticed as we have been scoring more goals in general. I mean he hasnt been allowing howlers but hes been leaking a goals he was saving earlier on, too much playing Rask? I dunno. Lets see how he goes against Toronto. He needs to be at his best or we're screwed

 

[Pia8988]

01/01/17 - Today 27 GP 1152.01 ToI

196 LDSA - 96.94 sv%
207 MDSA - 90.4 sv%
99 HDSA - 71.72 sv%

10/12/16 - 12/31/16 26 GP 1177 ToI

268 LDSA - 98.51 sv%
152 MDSA - 92.11 sv%
104 HDSA - 80.77 sv%

He is facing more medium danger changes, high are about the same.

 

[Seidenbergy]

"Since Jan. 1 Rask has the second worst save percentage of starting goalies at .896", is not surprising to me either, and I have lost some confidence in his game lately.

Lately?!? LOL. You are offender #1 when it comes to only bagging on Rask every chance you get, for multiple seasons now.

 

[Seidenbergy]

That there is anyone defending Rask at this point is what surprises me.

Nobody is defending his overall play since Jan 1. Nobody.

His overall play since he's been in the league? Yes. He's literally got some of the best career numbers the league has seen, so we know what he's capable of. THAT is why he is defended against the outright hate that some exhibit. You can defend his career and his abilities without being satisfied with his last few months.

 

[JOKER 192]

Nobody is defending his overall play since Jan 1. Nobody.

His overall play since he's been in the league? Yes. He's literally got some of the best career numbers the league has seen, so we know what he's capable of. THAT is why he is defended against the outright hate that some exhibit. You can defend his career and his abilities without being satisfied with his last few months.

I'm not satisfied with his last few years not months. Basically he was elite when he had an elite D infront of him playing on a team that played defence 1st.

 

[Ryan77]

We will find out a lot about Rask in the next 5-games. Big games against some important teams

 

[fin8]

I'm not satisfied with his last few years not months. Basically he was elite when he had an elite D infront of him playing on a team that played defence 1st.

Thats exactly it. I know all I do is **** on Rask, but he deserves it. It frustrates the hell out of me, how anyone can defend his play the past few years. I have zero confidence in this guy in helping the Bruins winning. If there was one game that you needed to win it all, would Rask be the choice for being that goalie in net? I think not, and that says a lot. In all honesty, I don't think he would make the top 20 for being that guy, to help win the big games.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Rask has elite skills, but his biggest weakness is his mental stability. It really holds him back. I've always said he doesn't need a goalie coach, he needs a sports psychologist.

He without a doubt has the skills to be a championship level goalie, but he is easily rattled off his game.

Sure, this defense is no where near stellar...but I'm not sure his mental hangups would go away with any squad. We've had a long look. He's certainly capable of great play...that Finals run, I felt as confident with him as ever...he was playing cool, calm, and confident...we heard so often "Rask makes it all look easy...always a step ahead...no wasted motion..."

But he always reverts to calamity Rask at some point, tweaked out, over-thinking, often directly contributing to the puck finding it's way in the net.

Pretty much the polar opposite of the calm, cool, effortless version of Rask when he's got his head right.

Dr. Rask and Mr. Hyde.

I'm totally serious, he needs a life coach more than a goalie coach. The Bruins should invest the money.

By definition goalies are in need of therapy. I would say most goalie coaches are part psychologists.

 

[Sharp Shooting Neely]

I'm not satisfied with his last few years not months. Basically he was elite when he had an elite D infront of him playing on a team that played defence 1st.

The same could be said of Lunquist when he faltered greatly early this year in New York. Also with Price when he also had a rough time at the start of 2017. It happens to the very best. No player is at the top of their game during the course of an marathon 82 game schedule. The Bruins have played their best hockey in eons. Should there be a fall off in his game imagine the possibilities when he settles down and again regains the form he more regularly displays. Without his stellar play at the start of the year when the team was struggling to score can't imagine where the Bruins would be right now but would suggest it would not be in a PO spot. Don't see any reason that a similar if not better level of play returns.

 

[Bruinfanatic]

The same could be said of Lunquist when he faltered greatly early this year in New York. Also with Price when he also had a rough time at the start of 2017. It happens to the very best. No player is at the top of their game during the course of an marathon 82 game schedule. The Bruins have played their best hockey in eons. Should there be a fall off in his game imagine the possibilities when he settles down and again regains the form he more regularly displays. Without his stellar play at the start of the year when the team was struggling to score can't imagine where the Bruins would be right now but would suggest it would not be in a PO spot. Don't see any reason that a similar if not better level of play returns.

Unfortunately his history the last couple of seasons down the stretch doesn't bode well for us.Lets hope recent history isn't repeating itself.The next 3-4 games are crucial .He will need to be at his best.

 

[Marchy63]

I think there is enormous pressure on Rask to be spectacular every night and I don't think any goalie can actually accomplish that. People have revisionist history when it comes to remembering Timn Thomas' career as a Bruin. Both Rask and Thomas have had amazing statical seasons and both have struggled with consistency at times.

The one thing I have noticed seems to be a change plays. When Rask entered the league he seemed a little more aggressive and relied on positioning and reflexes to make saves. Now it seems as though he is playing more of a blocking style which he is simply not large (wide) enough to play. I think a change in philosophy might be needed to see if he can get his game back to where it was just a couple years ago.

It also doesn't help when you are relied on so heavily to get wins for team because your back up goalie is so unreliable. If the Bruins had consistent goaltending from the back up I think this team would be closer to possibly winning the division then fighting for their playoff lives

 

[Hali33]

I can appreciate the fact that all goalies go through slumps and I do believe he was truly fatigued for a while when they overplayed him. But he's getting regular rest now and it hasn't improved. Nor are we talking about just mediocre goaltending here.

3 months of sub 900 goaltending are well beyond those conversations or excuses at this point.

 

[Sharp Shooting Neely]

Unfortunately his history the last couple of seasons down the stretch doesn't bode well for us.Lets hope recent history isn't repeating itself.The next 3-4 games are crucial .He will need to be at his best.

Felt the team play was much more a difference maker than Rask. They were completely uninspired and down right god awful down the stretch. In contrast the team is now at or near the top of their game and he doesn't have to be Venizna like every night. When he is at the top of his game he is very quiet with his movement in the net, follows the puck extremely well and doesn't over commit when going side to side. That especially noticeable when he slides left to right and will actually will slide well past the post.

Agree completely that the next four games are critical. That stretch may well determine who remains standing at the end. Much rather that they are being chased as opposed to doing the chasing.

 

[JOKER 192]

The same could be said of Lunquist when he faltered greatly early this year in New York. Also with Price when he also had a rough time at the start of 2017. It happens to the very best. No player is at the top of their game during the course of an marathon 82 game schedule. The Bruins have played their best hockey in eons. Should there be a fall off in his game imagine the possibilities when he settles down and again regains the form he more regularly displays. Without his stellar play at the start of the year when the team was struggling to score can't imagine where the Bruins would be right now but would suggest it would not be in a PO spot. Don't see any reason that a similar if not better level of play returns.

Lunquist and Price have also struggled for a short period this year as well but the difference is they haven't struggled for the last 3 years and a good part of this one. Slumps happen to just about every player. Even Bergy struggled early on this year. My issue with Rask is attitude more than anything. There are times you can clearly see he is on, unfortunately it happens rarely. I have said before and I'll say it again , he doesn't posses the mental strength to be an elite goaltender. He played his best when he had a light work load behind an elite defence on a defence 1st team. Sorry if I'm not impressed but I'm not. Never have been. I don't look at stats , advanced stats or trophies. There is always a reasonable argument that can be made as to why x player has achieved certain heights. I look at what I see when I watch the games, overall play, body language, attitude and so on. If Rask plays well I will always say so in the PGT. For all those who say I'm agenda driven I suggest you have a look at what I had to say in PGT when the Bruins played the Flyers. I call them as I see them , when he plays well I say so , when he plays like **** I say so too. Isn't that what we are here for, to share opinions. But certain posters here can't deal with facts so they feel the need to get snarky and it goes unchecked. Regardless I really hope I am wrong about Rask. I honestly cheer for him to do well. I am a Bruins fan 1st. I have my favorites like any one else. I would love to be able to count Rask among them.

 

[Estlin]

Rask has elite skills, but his biggest weakness is his mental stability. It really holds him back. I've always said he doesn't need a goalie coach, he needs a sports psychologist.

It worked for Marchand; maybe it would help Rask, too.

I think there is enormous pressure on Rask to be spectacular every night and I don't think any goalie can actually accomplish that. People have revisionist history when it comes to remembering Timn Thomas' career as a Bruin. Both Rask and Thomas have had amazing statical seasons and both have struggled with consistency at times.

Given that Rask is paid 7 million/year, I think that there are expectations that he be excellent, if not spectacular, on a regular basis.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

I'm not satisfied with his last few years not months. Basically he was elite when he had an elite D infront of him playing on a team that played defence 1st.

You mean like pretty much every goalie in the league?


These are Tim Thomas' career stats:


http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/t/thomati01.html


I love Timmy T, but am using his as an example because I often hear that he was so much better than Rask. Check out his numbers pre-Julien and the two seasons after he left Boston.

You think having Chara (in his prime) and Clode's defensive system didn't help him much?

 

[JOKER 192]

You mean like pretty much every goalie in the league?


These are Tim Thomas' career stats:


http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/t/thomati01.html


I love Timmy T, but am using his as an example because I often hear that he was so much better than Rask. Check out his numbers pre-Julien and the two seasons after he left Boston.

You think having Chara (in his prime) and Clode's defensive system didn't help him much?

Well, we agree on that. Thomas got hot at right time. Otherwise it's coin flip between the two.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

I can appreciate the fact that all goalies go through slumps and I do believe he was truly fatigued for a while when they overplayed him. But he's getting regular rest now and it hasn't improved. Nor are we talking about just mediocre goaltending here.

3 months of sub 900 goaltending are well beyond those conversations or excuses at this point.

I think Rask is struggling and while I believe he takes a lot of unfair crap here, I would move him if I got the chance. Not because I think he's awful, but because I would like to get out from underneath that contract (if he's not going to perform like a Top 5 goalie).

I totally believe the rumor that the B's were planning on keeping Jones and moving Rask until the Dougie stuff came to a head and Sweeney thought it would be too much of a hit to move all three (40, 17, 27) in one offseason. I could see him trying again if the return was good and Rask was willing to go. His NMC becomes a NTC this offseason with him naming 8 teams he would go to.

 

[Bruinfanatic]

You mean like pretty much every goalie in the league?


These are Tim Thomas' career stats:


http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/t/thomati01.html


I love Timmy T, but am using his as an example because I often hear that he was so much better than Rask. Check out his numbers pre-Julien and the two seasons after he left Boston.

You think having Chara (in his prime) and Clode's defensive system didn't help him much?

Timmy has a cup and an MVP he is pretty much a god to me.no comparison.Lol

 

[Jean_Jacket41]

I think Rask is struggling and while I believe he takes a lot of unfair crap here, I would move him if I got the chance. Not because I think he's awful, but because I would like to get out from underneath that contract (if he's not going to perform like a Top 5 goalie).

I totally believe the rumor that the B's were planning on keeping Jones and moving Rask until the Dougie stuff came to a head and Sweeney thought it would be too much of a hit to move all three (40, 17, 27) in one offseason. I could see him trying again if the return was good and Rask was willing to go. His NMC becomes a NTC this offseason with him naming 8 teams he would go to.

No problem at all with his contract.

I think there was 20 G that made more than 5M this year. 7M is not extreme for a top-G which Rask is.

Signed for the next 4y. Bruins are set in net.

Rask is part of the solution and one of the strenght of this team.

 

[RedeyeRocketeer]

Rask back to 37th overall on Goals Saved Above Average. I count 20 starters outperforming him there now. He is no longer better than the median goalie the stat measures against.

http://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2017_goalies.html

 

[northeastern]

Hopefully he gets some rest down the stretch and find his form. This time lives and dies with his regardless of what people want to believe. The bruins have no other goalie options.

 

[bobbyorr04]

Lately?!? LOL. You are offender #1 when it comes to only bagging on Rask every chance you get, for multiple seasons now.

#1 offender of bagging on Rask? Really???

I know I can be hard on pro athletes who make more money in one year than some of us make in a lifetime, but if you were to see some of my posts earlier this season, you would’ve noticed that I gave kudos to Rask quite a few times when he was playing “lights out”......like he should be playing for that kind of money.

But when he looks more like a $200k goalie, than a $7 million goalie then I will voice my displeasure for sure.

I haven’t posted much this season, so to say that I'm the #1 offender of bagging on Rask is ludicrous.

It's posters like you who distort the facts that makes these forums unbearable sometimes.