The Boston Bruins missed the playoffs again last season, and their backup goalie -- Jonas Gustavsson finished 11-9-1 with a .908 save percentage -- was part of the reason why.
And, so, finding a better backup became one of three things the Bruins set out to achieve this offseason. (The two other things were getting “heavier” at right wing, which was solved by signing David Backes, and adding a “transitional” defenseman, which has not yet been solved.)
They hope they’ve found the right backup in Anton Khudobin, after giving the 30-year-old a two-year, $2.4 million contract on July 1. Khubobin has been good for the them in the past -- he went 9-4-1 with a .920 save percentage in 2013, before leaving to sign with the Hurricanes -- but his numbers have dipped considerably the past two seasons. He was sent to the AHL last year as the odd man out in Anaheim. There was a report near the end of the season that he was planning to sign in the KHL, though obviously that never came to fruition.
“It was two good seasons in Carolina,” said Khudobin, per the Bruins’ website. “And last year, I wouldn’t say that it was good, but it was up and down, as you always have in your career. It’s normal. Right now, I’m in my spot and I’m really happy to be back.”
Last year wasn’t a particularly great year for Tuukka Rask either. He went 31-22-8 with a .915 save percentage, well below his career save rate of .924. So in essence the Bruins will be hoping that both their goalies can bounce back. If that happens, a return to the postseason could be the reward.
“Focus on helping the team get some more points and get higher in the standings,” said Khudobin. “Making playoffs always [is the goal]. ... I know Tuukka is going to play more and he’s No. 1, so I just focus on my game and how I’m going to help the team.”