As every knows, Tuukka was injured during the Islanders game with a lower abdomen/groin injury and will miss at the least the rest of the regular season. This sucks for multiple reasons:
1. Tuukka is arguably the best goaltender that is not a starting goaltender (you can throw Schneider and Bernier in that mix too). Even though Timmy will be the goaltender for the playoffs, Timmy's a bit old and the plan was most likely to lean heavily on Rask the last month and a half of the season to give Thomas some rest.
2. This injury occurred after the trade deadline. The options are significantly limited on trying to find a replacement.
3. The number one goalie in Providence, Anton Khudobin, is injured with a bum wrist. Plan D anyone?
When this happened I jokingly asked my roommate if he thought Chiarelli would kick the tires on Turco. I know at the start of the year he was hoping to sign with a team, but when that didn't happen he went over to Europe. My joke became a reality with the B's signing the 36 year old goaltender. If this was 10 years ago, hot digity dog I'd be excited.
Because the options are limited at this time of year and with the injury to Khudobin, I understand this signing and it realistically seems like the best option. Since he signed after the trade deadline he's not eligible to play for the playoffs, which isn't a big deal barring Rask is healthy by then.
All we need him to do is play in 6 or so games to let Thomas rest. If Turco somehow channels his younger self and catches fire (which I'm not banking on) we can give him more games. We just need him not to completely blow. We NEED a fresh Thomas for the playoffs.
Let's hope this works out!
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