The Boston Bruins are "full steam ahead" with netminder Tuukka Rask for the upcoming campaign, according to head coach Bruce Cassidy.
"I think everything that happened in the bubble has been addressed, dealt with," Cassidy said Wednesday, according to NHL.com's Amalie Benjamin. "We're moving on, getting ready to win next year. That includes our goaltender."
Rask opted out of the league's return in August following Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes to tend to a family emergency. The Finnish goaltender received support from the organization and his teammates after making the decision.
Cassidy said Rask's absence affected the team mentally before the Tampa Bay Lightning eliminated the Bruins in five games. The 55-year-old bench boss believes the 2020 Vezina Trophy finalist is excited to get back and compete.
"... I think he just wants to get back in the net and play hockey and play well and give us a chance to win," Cassidy said.
"Probably nobody more excited on our team to (be) getting back in there," he added. "I would assume that Tuukka would sort of say 'hey, I'm still the goalie I was last year and I'm ready to go. Family's good, I'm good. Everyone's in a good place. Let's play hockey.'"
Rask is entering the final year of his current deal and will become an unrestricted free agent after the season. The 33-year-old has spent all 13 campaigns of his career with the Bruins, and Rask said in October he wouldn't want to play anywhere else.
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