Report: We now have a date for Tuukka Rask's return to the Bruins

Former Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask hit the ice earlier this week for the first time since offseason hip surgery and, well wouldn't you know it he just happened to do so at the Bruins' practice facility in full black and gold gear with a Bruins practice jersey on to boot.

Rask, of course, is still an unsigned unrestricted free agent with no current agreement with the Bruins or any other team. But... let's get real... Rask isn't going to sign anywhere but Boston, right?

While the Bruins are adjusting to life under goaltenders Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman, Rask is still very much in the mix for them. It's expected that once Rask recovers from his surgery and gets back to 100% that he'll come to an agreement with the only NHL team he has ever suited up for. So, when can B's fans expect Rask back in action? TSN insider Chris Johnston reports that Rask is on track to be healthy by the New Year and could re-join the Bruins as soon as January.

From Johnston's most recent appearance on TSN's Insider Trading:

"He's been working out at their (Boston Bruins) practice facility, but he doesn't have a contract. Tuukka Rask had surgery on his torn labrum in the offseason. I've reached out to his agent Markus Lehto who said the goal for him is to play and to win, which is a little bit newsworthy. Previous to this Tuukka Rask had been a little bit non-committal about his playing future but the focus now is on getting healthy, working on that hip and maybe returning as soon as January. He's even left the door open to team Finland for the Beijing Olympics."

- Chris Johnston, TSN

Call me crazy, but I think that's perfect. Given Rask's late season struggles of late and the fact that his play seems to drop off in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, I feel like this could actually be an ideal scenario. Let him rest and recover and come back 100% healthy and 100% motivated to make a Cup run in the New Year. Thoughts, Bruins fans?