Tuukka opts out of the rest of the season

PedroSpecialK

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Vladar is in the bubble as goalie 3, yeah

If he's not into it, best that he isn't in net I guess. Thankfully the team has another starting-caliber goalie with a lot of playoff experience.
 

NickEsasky

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Wow. Gotta respect the decision. Must be hard on these guys. But if he wasn’t 100% mentally he wasn’t going to be Tuukka. In Halak we trust.
 

TSC

SoSH's Doug Neidermeyer
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I've been as staunch a Tuukka defender as any.

But man if this doesn't make defending him a little bit harder.

After 2 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs - and on the Presidents Cup winning team... you just quit? He couldn't have decided this before they went into the bubble?
 

Mueller's Twin Grannies

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I really like Tuukka and he doesn't deserve half the shit he gets from Bruins "fans" who pin all the teams woes on his inability to be a human brick wall 100% of the time or for committing the egregious sin of not being born the second coming of Tim Thomas (who I'm not sure would crack the Top 5 of Bruins goaltenders when you factor his career statistics in rather than focusing on his Vezina-winning years and the Cup win), but this is not going to win him any points.

If they don't win a Cup with him, what will his legacy be 20 years from now? Just infuriating since they should have won last year and would have if they'd actually tried harder in a couple games and the league wasn't in the bag for the story of the Blues finally winning a Cup.

Edit: TSC said it a little better.
 

NJ_Sox_Fan

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I've been as staunch a Tuukka defender as any.

But man if this doesn't make defending him a little bit harder.

After 2 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs - and on the Presidents Cup winning team... you just quit? He couldn't have decided this before they went into the bubble?
Yup. My thoughts exactly. Love him, but wondering if he's done here. Between his comments the other day and this, makes it tough for him I think.
 

Ed Hillel

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Seemed kinda clear watching and listening to him. I don’t think he would have been blamed had he done it beforehand, but this COULD cause issues down the road. Oh well, pays to have a great backup.
 

RG33

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I would like to understand why he made the decision before I level any sort of judgement (not that I should be even at all). Perhaps someone in his family is sick? Maybe he or a family member has some pre-condition issues that have caused added stress and worry?

In Halak We Trust
 

TSC

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Fair or not - Tuukka is not going to be very beloved by much of the Black and Gold faithful after this.

If trading him means you keep Krug long term - who says no?
 

Laser Show

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Only thing that bugs me is the timing. But it sounds like the B's knew he was fighting it. I'm guessing they've had conversations with him about not being all in but trying to stick it out for his teammates. If the Bruins were aware and working with him on it I'm ok.

Doesn't matter if something is going on or not. Totally understandable to want to be at home with family right now.
 

cshea

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Sweeney says nothing specific happened with Tuukka’s family, they are all safe and well. He said Tuukka was just struggling being away and in this environment.
 

LogansDad

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Wow. I can't fault the guy for this at all. His wife just had a baby in May, I think, so I'm sure that contributed. If he wasn't going to be able to focus on the games at hand then I think this is the best decision for him and the team. A lot of people are going to shit on him for this, but I think that's completely unwarranted. To me this seems like he tried his best to be there for his teammates, but in the end his family had to come first, and I can absolutely respect that.
 

PedroSpecialK

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It’s astounding to me in the year 2020 that the mental fortitude of a guy - isolated away from his wife and 3 young kids during a global pandemic - is seriously being called into question.

His comments the other night didn’t strike the right tone for a regular post-playoff game press conference, but its worth remembering this situation is anything but regular.

edit: yeah I agree, the timing sucks, but it's better to know two games into round 1 than halfway through round 2 or something - it seems like he tried to tough it out and help his team at the start. Perhaps his comments, and the reaction to them, made Tuukka realize his head wasn't in the right place to help the team, who knows?

It's also worth remembering that he talked about retiring at the end of his current contract earlier this year (or not even playing the final year).
 
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BigJimEd

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A lot of people are going to shit on him for this, but I think that's completely unwarranted.
Exactly. Anyone that shits on him here or elsewhere can fuck off imo.
No way to fault any of these guys for opting out at anytime.

Sucks for the Bruins but that's the way it goes. Glad they have Halak
 

richgedman'sghost

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It’s astounding to me in the year 2020 that the mental fortitude of a guy - isolated away from his wife and 3 young kids during a global pandemic - is seriously being called into question.

His comments the other night didn’t strike the right tone for a regular post-playoff game press conference, but its worth remembering this situation is anything but regular
Who is criticizing the guy? The comments here have been either supportive, understanding or both. I haven't seen one negative comment. Do you mean the future callers to WEEI or the Sports Hub like Sully from Southie? Well screw him or them. The talk show callers are the LCD of earth bound people.
 

soxin6

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If Rask had walked away before the restart, I don't think anyone would have had an issue. If something has changed with his family, I don't think anyone will have an issue. If nothing really changed except he didn't want to be there, then I think most B's fans will be ready for him to not be in the black and gold anymore. Many fans were already there, but this will just make it worse.
 

PC Drunken Friar

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Who is criticizing the guy? The comments here have been either supportive, understanding or both. I haven't seen one negative comment. Do you mean the future callers to WEEI or the Sports Hub like Sully from Southie? Well screw him or them. The talk show callers are the LCD of earth bound people.
Two posters already have and there was a reference that die hards are going to turn on him and maybe it be best they trade him.
 

PedroSpecialK

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Who is criticizing the guy? The comments here have been either supportive, understanding or both. I haven't seen one negative comment. Do you mean the future callers to WEEI or the Sports Hub like Sully from Southie? Well screw him or them. The talk show callers are the LCD of earth bound people.
Mainly talking about the replies the B's tweet on Twitter, or this making it harder to defend Rask when (IMO) this isn't really a hockey issue. But yeah point taken, there isn't anyone here really throwing him under the bus for making a tough decision.

The posters above talking about the knuckledragger segment of the fan base aren't particularly wrong about them not taking this well, but those are probably the same people who bitch about having to wear a mask so...
 

Cotillion

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He needs to do what’s right for him. Deep down, it’s just a sport. It’s not life and death.

Good for him.
 

cornwalls@6

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I don’t think questioning the timing of it makes one a knuckle dragger. That said, the notion that he should be traded for this alone, or that the organization should be out to punish him in any way is stupid. It’s surprising that he waited until now, but he has to do what he thinks is best for him and family. We’re on to Halak.
 

soxin6

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I don’t think questioning the timing of it makes one a knuckle dragger. That said, the notion that he should be traded for this alone, or that the organization should be out to punish him in any way is stupid. It’s surprising that he waited until now, but he has to do what he thinks is best for him and family. We’re on to Halak.
A lot of the people you will see posting on Twitter wanted Rask gone after game 7. This will just be more fuel on the fire for them.
 

Red Averages

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Wow. I can't fault the guy for this at all. His wife just had a baby in May, I think, so I'm sure that contributed. If he wasn't going to be able to focus on the games at hand then I think this is the best decision for him and the team. A lot of people are going to shit on him for this, but I think that's completely unwarranted. To me this seems like he tried his best to be there for his teammates, but in the end his family had to come first, and I can absolutely respect that.
Correct
 

cshea

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Dale Arnold says he talked to Tuukka and there is/was a family emergency but everything is OK now.

That could explain the timing. Also, they’ve been there 3 weeks now. He seemed skeptical of going in the first place but tried to stick it out. He could’ve also just come to the realization that this wasn’t for him.
 

Saints Rest

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It feels to me more like the guy who starts a season (most typically in the NFL) trying to fight thru an injury or thru indecision about retiring, and decided after a game or two that his heart isn’t in it.
Frankly, I won’t be surprised to see this happen a lot in the NFL, Gronk comes to mind.
 

NickEsasky

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Wow, unexpected but not surprising. 2020 gonna 2020.

Maybe he'll pull a Nick Markakis at some point.
He can’t. If he opted out versus leaving the bubble he’s done.
 

joe dokes

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Faulting him for the timing is no different than faulting him any other way. It's a lazy way to "blame" him, that the blamer thinks is clever. It isn't. He's got 4 kids, one born in may.
He didn't know he was going to feel this way until he did.


The prisoner who now stands before you
Was caught red-handed showing feelings
Showing feelings of an almost human nature
This will not do
 

E5 Yaz

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It’s astounding to me in the year 2020 that the mental fortitude of a guy - isolated away from his wife and 3 young kids during a global pandemic - is seriously being called into question.
Agreed, but as my mother used to say ... You can't fix stupid
 

pedro1918

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Maybe he'll pull a Nick Markakis at some point.
I am fine with Tuukka opting out and I want him back at the start of next season. I don’t want him to pull a Markakis if the team advances. Give the job to Halak and run with it.

I’d tell Tuukka to come back strong in December (or whenever.)

Real Edit: per NickE, it’s irrelevant. Thanks.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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If Cassidy/the team isn’t surprised and/or kinda saw this coming, then he had no business starting a B2B. I’m more annoyed with that than Tuukka making this decision for himself and his family.
 
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mostman

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I’m actually surprised as many players played as did. As a father of young kids, I can’t imagine being anywhere except with them. Sure, these guys are playing for a ton of money, but he’s still just a dad and a husband and this situation is impacting us all the same. I can see him not wanting to do it, but feeling like he had to for his team, and then realizing he wasn’t himself.
 

SeoulSoxFan

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Special circumstances merit special considerations.

I have no problem with Tuuka opting out. Timing is timing but it is what it is. Let's roll with Halak and hope the team pulls it together.
 

Bozo Texino

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I can't fucking stand the "TRADE TUKA!!!!!111" crowd. This is going to make them even more insufferable.

Hope everything is okay with him and his family.
 

bigq

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Faulting him for the timing is no different than faulting him any other way. It's a lazy way to "blame" him, that the blamer thinks is clever. It isn't. He's got 4 kids, one born in may.
He didn't know he was going to feel this way until he did.


The prisoner who now stands before you
Was caught red-handed showing feelings
Showing feelings of an almost human nature
This will not do
Great post. The Jim Murray hot take foolishness and the like fills me with the urge to defecate
 

BaseballJones

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You gotta do what you gotta do and this will get no criticism from me.

I do wonder if they win it all with Halak, how that will impact people's view of Tuukka in the long run. Not that it matters much. Just a curiosity more than anything on my part.
 

Mueller's Twin Grannies

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Even if they wanted to move him, would anyone take him? Who would replace him - do you sign Halak to a multiyear deal until you can develop/trade for someone else to be The Guy?

I wonder how much of players not being into this is the lack of crowds and the fact that they are not used to playing in August and had probably all but resigned themselves that the season was going to be cancelled? Regardless of who wins the Cup, this season is always going to be viewed as an aberration (like MLB's and the NBA's to a large degree) and there will always be an undercurrent of, "Yeah, but they only won because of the goofy playoff format and (team X) probably would have won if the season hadn't been interrupted."

While it will count to the winners, I kind of feel for anyone who wins a title this year because it will never be viewed through the same prism as the teams who win a title during a "normal" season. It feels like there'll always be an invisible asterisk and that sucks.
 

jk333

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There’s nothing to be done until there is a start date for next season. No one will trade for an 8 million dollar cap hit that may or may not play next year and the Bruins won’t know how to proceed until they see Halak in these playoffs.

Rask could very possibly retire. If not, he could be back or could be traded for a bag of pucks. But there’s no way to do anything for a few months at least.