Tuukka opts out of the rest of the season

RIFan

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Tuukka knows exactly what the public reaction to opting out will be. He's never shown that he cares about what people outside of the locker room say about him. I'm actually envious of the mental fortitude that it takes to make such a high profile decision knowing the vitriol that will come his way. I wouldn't be surprised if the team leaders pushed him to go home if he was struggling with the decision. Bruins definitely are the type of team to be able to handle this.
 

Lupe Whalewatch

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Hearing this didn’t come as a surprise to anyone in the organization. He was fighting it/ didn’t want to be there from the start, and wouldn’t be surprised at all if he retires.
 

Myt1

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Good for him. I wouldn’t have gone in the first place. Good on him for giving it a shot and then realizing what was more important to him.
 

NortheasternPJ

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Hearing this didn’t come as a surprise to anyone in the organization. He was fighting it/ didn’t want to be there from the start, and wouldn’t be surprised at all if he retires.
Ryan Johnston was doing The Hockey Show on 98.5 when it was announced and this this was his first thought. Said rumors were that Tuukka was already contemplating retiring after this contract before the pandemic. I wouldn't be surprised after 4 months off, going back into this and playing a few games, he's decided he's done for good.
 

lexrageorge

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Why we he retire? New season doesn't start until at least December, and things could be a lot different by then.

I can understand why he left. A bit surprised that he left when he did, but he did what he felt was best for his family, so cannot fault him for that at all. They just need to hope that Halak stays healthy.
 

Mueller's Twin Grannies

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Why we he retire? New season doesn't start until at least December, and things could be a lot different by then.

I can understand why he left. A bit surprised that he left when he did, but he did what he felt was best for his family, so cannot fault him for that at all. They just need to hope that Halak stays healthy.
Maybe he's lost some of the passion he had after last year's SCF series? He is a great teammate but I'm sure it didn't escape him that the other skaters on the ice wearing the same uniform didn't exactly have his back throughout that series and didn't show up in a couple games, including basically playing out the string in Game 7 after Marchand fucked him en route to the GW goal. Couple that with the constant barrage of hate for not being Tim Thomas II and for his failures against MTL and maybe he just is ready to go home and call it a day. If not that, maybe having four kids (now) that he doesn't get to see much for half the year (not to mention the rest of his family) and maybe continuing on as an NHL goaltender in the current age just doesn't float his boat the way it used to. Maybe he's just ready.
 

Haunted

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Good for him. I wouldn’t have gone in the first place. Good on him for giving it a shot and then realizing what was more important to him.
Agree totally. I’m a total hypocrite and have been watching the nhl and mlb, but I do not believe we should be playing these sports at all.

I wish Tuukka and family health and happiness and hope for a return to the bruins and a post-covid Stanley cup. But until then, I’m happy he chose family and health.
 

TFP

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Maybe he's lost some of the passion he had after last year's SCF series? He is a great teammate but I'm sure it didn't escape him that the other skaters on the ice wearing the same uniform didn't exactly have his back throughout that series and didn't show up in a couple games, including basically playing out the string in Game 7 after Marchand fucked him en route to the GW goal. Couple that with the constant barrage of hate for not being Tim Thomas II and for his failures against MTL and maybe he just is ready to go home and call it a day.
I highly doubt this has anything to do with it.

Tuukka has revealed himself to be a complex person off the ice (not a criticism) and I'm sure there's a ton more going on behind the scenes with his family here. Ultimately if his head and heart aren't in it, it's for the best. And I'll never criticize someone for putting their family first, no matter what the circumstances.

Everyone (in general, not here) just needs to have some fucking empathy. Like maybe the guy has some shit going on and needs to make a decision for himself. The idea that these guys are here solely for our entertainment just feels fucking weird to me, and the idea of wanting to be home with your kids is seen as a moral failing just makes me cringe. And on top of it all - they're not even getting paid.
 

The Napkin

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Agree totally. I’m a total hypocrite and have been watching the nhl and mlb, but I do not believe we should be playing these sports at all.

I wish Tuukka and family health and happiness and hope for a return to the bruins and a post-covid Stanley cup. But until then, I’m happy he chose family and health.
this is totally me except I haven't been watching mlb
 

TSC

SoSH's Doug Neidermeyer
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A friend of mine knows Tuukka personally (she's dated a member of the team for a bit), and said he's been battling mental health issues for a couple of years. She wasn't shocked when this was announced.

So - yea. If so - I hope taking the time off helps, and I hope he's ok.
 

TFP

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A friend of mine knows Tuukka personally (she's dated a member of the team for a bit), and said he's been battling mental health issues for a couple of years. She wasn't shocked when this was announced.

So - yea. If so - I hope taking the time off helps, and I hope he's ok.
You'd hope all the people in the game who tweeted #bellLetsTalk would be supportive of this.
 

TSC

SoSH's Doug Neidermeyer
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You'd hope all the people in the game who tweeted #bellLetsTalk would be supportive of this.
I mean, even Curt Schilling defended Tuukka. I think most people who play the game are going to be supportive.

It's Tommy from Revere, and Felger from 98.5 who upon learning this will still try to crucify him.
 

TFP

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It's Tommy from Revere, and Felger from 98.5 who upon learning this will still try to crucify him.
I was definitely referring to media folks, but to be fair the majority of the response has been supportive so I'm probably projecting here.

Ironically my friends who can't/won't leave their family for a 3 day golf weekend are blasting him.
 

McBride11

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Some of these hot takez are frankly embarrassing as humans. What is wrong with people. Guy plays a GAME for a living and was worried about his wife and 3 kids and said I'd rather be a good husband / father than play a game. Good for him, especially knowing their would be moronic pushback. I am so glad Sweeney and Cassidy supported him and even the Canes tweeted support.
 

jezza1918

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Posted this in the ESPN thread but thought it belonged here as well-

Here is how espn decided to report Rask opting out...I really don’t have the words to describe the rage I feel at how disingenuous this reporting is.007C9381-E1C3-4080-AC2D-0E7AFEDFDB69.jpeg
 

locknload

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I support tuukka making the decision it couldn't have come easy. Noone should ever question his competitiveness. This makes it harder for the Bruins to win a cup that i really think they deserve. That makes me sad. Basically this sucks.
 

SemperFidelisSox

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I can’t even imagine having to deal with mental health issues while you’re trapped inside a bubble, with no family support. What these players are doing is remarkable. I’m just shocked more players haven’t cracked and opted out. Good for Tuuka. Hopefully he is back healthy for next season. The Tuukka haters are just radio hosts and fans who don’t pay attention to the Bruins until the playoffs anyway.
 
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JimD

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Some of these hot takez are frankly embarrassing as humans. What is wrong with people. Guy plays a GAME for a living and was worried about his wife and 3 kids and said I'd rather be a good husband / father than play a game. Good for him, especially knowing their would be moronic pushback. I am so glad Sweeney and Cassidy supported him and even the Canes tweeted support.
Exactly, and even more so considering that these games are a glorified exhibition series. Every one these 2020 'championships' is going to have a giant asterisk attached. I hope that more players who may be privately conflicted about playing right now are empowered by Rask's example.
 

lexrageorge

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Recall that early last season, Rask left the team for a couple of weeks to deal with personal issues, the nature of which were never disclosed. KPD eviscerated him for it.

Am I the only one that thinks Milbury was harsh on him in pregame
Am I the only one wondering why Millbury still has a job?
 

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SoSH's Doug Neidermeyer
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Recall that early last season, Rask left the team for a couple of weeks to deal with personal issues, the nature of which were never disclosed. KPD eviscerated him for it.



Am I the only one wondering why Millbury still has a job?
Well, if the rumors are true KPD probably took it light on him.
 

TSC

SoSH's Doug Neidermeyer
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I can’t even imagine having to deal with mental health issues while you’re trapped inside a bubble, with no family support. What these players are doing is remarkable. I’m just shocked more players haven’t cracked and opted out. Good for Tukka. Hopefully he is back healthy for next season. The Tukka haters are just radio hosts and fans who don’t pay attention to the Bruins until the playoffs anyway.
Fans who don’t pay attention might at least know how to spell his name right after he’s been the starting goalie for almost 8 years.
 

PedroSpecialK

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Zolak on Twitter is furthering the Tuukka quit on the team narrative too. Sickening.
Zolak got kicked out of Bergeron's Pucks & Paddles event one year and tried to 'do you know who I am' his way back into the VIP area. The guy is a fucking loser in every sense of the word.
 

reggiecleveland

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Recall that early last season, Rask left the team for a couple of weeks to deal with personal issues, the nature of which were never disclosed. KPD eviscerated him for it.



Am I the only one wondering why Millbury still has a job?
A few things stand out about Milbury the announcer
1. He doesn't say much
2. When he does it is generic, "_________ is playing well" "He's a great young player" etc
3. He is so joyless.

We'll always have the Ranger fan's shoe though.
 

catomatic

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My first take on this after reading the headline only was that his ambivalence about being there had shown up in his play - he knew it would take more to compete for the Bubble Cup and he knew Halak would put the team in a better position than he might. He looked so despondent with himself after the Dougie laser that when the news broke, I instantly thought he quit on behalf of the team not in betrayal of it.
 

Detts

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My wife still wore her Rask sweater with pride today. We have never wavered in our love for him.

(I wore my Bergeron sweater)
 

soup17

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I’ve never been a fan of Rask’s dating back to the Flyers loss in 2010. In my opinion, he always seems to come up small in the biggest moments. However, isn’t it possible to dislike the athletic capabilities of the man and hope that he retires (or at least doesn’t play for the Bruins any more) while simultaneously understanding his decision and wishing him and his family well? I sincerely hope there are no major problems with him or his family and that if there is, he/they get the help they need. However, I don’t want to see him in a Bruins sweater again.
 

RIFan

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I’ve never been a fan of Rask’s dating back to the Flyers loss in 2010. In my opinion, he always seems to come up small in the biggest moments. However, isn’t it possible to dislike the athletic capabilities of the man and hope that he retires (or at least doesn’t play for the Bruins any more) while simultaneously understanding his decision and wishing him and his family well? I sincerely hope there are no major problems with him or his family and that if there is, he/they get the help they need. However, I don’t want to see him in a Bruins sweater again.
If you "dislike the athletic capabilities of the man" you have no clue. Pinning the Flyers loss and claiming he comes up small in the biggest moments reinforces that.
 

scottyno

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I’ve never been a fan of Rask’s dating back to the Flyers loss in 2010. In my opinion, he always seems to come up small in the biggest moments.
Do eastern conference finals not count? 8-0 with 7 goals allowed.
 

Foxy42

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Tuukka did a zoom talk / q&a session w my son’s club hockey team back in the spring and was awesome. So genuine and nice to the kids and the whole time he had his girls sitting w him and climbing all over him. He came off as a kind and humble family man.

Best of luck to him and his family.
 

Bergs

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Am I the only one that thinks Milbury was harsh on him in pregame
Huge typo in this post. Is it really that hard to spell "fuck Mike Milbury right in the ass with a 2x4"?...do better, man.
 

jmanny24

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Huge typo in this post. Is it really that hard to spell "fuck Mike Milbury right in the ass with a 2x4"?...do better, man.
Sorry I am not a Bruins fan, was just watching the game, I'll save that vitriol for those with a dog in the fight haha
 

Jordu

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Unless Tuukka comes forward and explains why he made his decision, there is no possible way for us to know why decided to opt out. Life is complicated, even if you’re a star professional athlete.

The man is an adult with a family who, throughout his career, has been active in the community and with charities.

Leave him alone and wish him well.
 

Sille Skrub

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I'm a huge Tuukka fan and think he has generally gotten a bad rap in this town. And, at the end of the day, they are playing a game. If I don't want to go into my office right now to work, I am in absolutely no position to criticize anyone for making a personal choice during a global pandemic. Hell, I think I overuse "family first" in my life. I truly hope there is nothing wrong and that his family is safe AND that Tuukka can find the peace and comfort he is searching for by opting out. Above all else, I wish (and am praying) the very best for him and his family.

However, I'm a little surprised at the reaction here. This is just my $.02, but I feel like sometimes on the board, we trip over ourselves trying to prove we're better than the cretins on talk radio. But anyway, I'm going to play Devil's Advocate (and I'm not even sure I believe this take) because I just want to throw it out there:

Something had to happen or change in Tukkaa's world to cause this, especially after the weird comments after G2. How can you say that this feels like an exhibition after seeing Bergy's reaction to the game winner in G1? He has been flaky, but all goalies are. This seems different. If you want to opt out, fine. You don't do it while you are literally sitting in the fox hole with your boys.

I really think there is a piece we're missing here.
 

PedroSpecialK

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It was mentioned on NESN pregame today that there was a family emergency during Tuukka's time in the bubble

View: https://twitter.com/IAmJamesStewart/status/1294654291727261699


Sounds like everyone is OK per the post-game tweets - but IMO it suffices to say that that can change anyone's mind about being in a controlled / bubble environment, and trying to play as a professional athlete at the highest level essentially for free, with that going on in their personal life.
 

mwonow

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A few things stand out about Milbury the announcer
1. He doesn't say much
2. When he does it is generic, "_________ is playing well" "He's a great young player" etc
3. He is so joyless.

We'll always have the Ranger fan's shoe though.
The Rangers think was definitely a highlight. On the other end of the spectrum altogether was a playoff game that the Bs were winning, against Montreal. Milbury decides to provoke Larry Robinson. They tie up and fall down. Somebody in the room I was watching in (actually, a future NHL coach) says "there go the balls of the Canadians." Which wasn't, as it turned out, true - Robinson got back up, clobbered Milbury, the Habs came back, the Bruins lost yet another series to Montreal. "Thanks, Mike, you meathead..."
View: https://youtu.be/qisI8QeGXTk