Huge update on Tuukka Rask and the Boston Bruins.

It may be premature to make this announcement, but it certainly looks like Tuukka Rask is back.

For weeks now we have been hearing about Rask working out at the Boston Bruins training facility but there were still a number of questions regarding his future. Rask's health has obviously been a point of concern but with the Bruins coming into the season with a goaltending tandem of Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman, there were also legitimate concerns about whether or not Rask would fit into that mix.

On Monday all doubts were erased when the veteran goaltender once again worked out at the Bruins training facility before the team's official practice, but this time around he remained on the ice when the Bruins hit the ice. Not only has Rask remained on the ice, but we have now seen pictures that indicate he is working out with his former teammates, a clear sign that both he and the Bruins are setting the stage for what now appears to be his inevitable return.

Interestingly enough Linus Ullmark was not out on the ice with the Bruins today, but that could merely be the product of the Bruins looking to give him extra rest. The Bruins have 3 games in 4 days on the calendar this week, and unless Rask officially joins the team before then 1 of 3 Bruins goaltenders will have to deal with a quick turn around.

It will be very interesting to see how the Bruins handle all of this when Rask returns. As things currently stand Jeremy Swayman has looked like the better goaltender this season with a 2.26 goals against average and a .918 save percentage compared to Ullmark's 2.68 goals against average and .911 save percentage. The fact that Swayman has also been given 3 more games appears to suggest the Bruins view the situation the same way, but there is the matter of their contracts to consider.

Swayman does not have to pass through waivers if the Bruins wish to move him between their American Hockey League and National Hockey League rosters, while the same cannot be said for Ullmark. The Bruins likely won't be willing to lose Ullmark to waivers given a number of teams are looking for help in goal right now, which could result in Ullmark and Rask becoming the Bruins tandem moving forward.

Update: An interesting detail from Pierre LeBrun, Rask is officially being used as an emergency backup goalie and has not signed yet with the Bruins. He also adds that Ullmark's absence today is due to illness.