The 34-year-old unrestricted free agent has practiced regularly with Boston, beginning as an emergency backup Dec. 6, when goalieLinus Ullmark was unavailable because of a non-COVID-19 illness.
"I know Don and Tuukka's agent have had some discussions," Neely said, referring to Bruins general manager Don Sweeney. "I don't think they've talked contract just yet. Certainly wanted to see Tuukka ramp up in practice and whatnot.
"Unfortunately, with what's gone on with the pause here, he's not getting NHL shots on him right now. I think that's what he was looking forward to, is to get ramped up a little bit more these last few weeks of December and early January."
The Bruins were shut down on Dec. 18 because of the spread of COVID-19, and the NHL extended its three-day holiday break to five days, which began after the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 on Tuesday.
Rask had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip in late July, with an expected timeline of January or February for his return. He has been working out at the Bruins practice facility, Warrior Ice Arena, throughout his rehab, and has worked with goaltending coach Bob Essensa.
Rask has repeatedly said he will return to the NHL only with Boston, where he played the entirety of his 14-season NHL career, and that he would be a "cheap goalie" for them.
Last season, Rask was 15-5-2 with a 2.28 goals against average, .913 save percentage and two shutouts in 24 starts. This season, the Bruins have used Ullmark (7-5-0, 2.52 GAA, .922 save percentage in 12 starts) and rookie Jeremy Swayman (7-5-2, 2.29 GAA, .917 save percentage, one shutout in 14 starts).
Rask is 306-163-66 in 560 NHL games and is Boston's leader in wins, starts (540) and minutes played (32,208:34), and is second in shutouts (52) behind Tiny Thompson (74).
He has a 2.27 GAA and .921 save percentage in his NHL career and helped the Bruins reach the Stanley Cup Final twice, in 2013, when they lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in six games, and 2019, when they lost to the St. Louis Blues in seven games. He was the backup to Tim Thomas when the Bruins won the Stanley Cup in 2011.
Boston (14-10-2) is fifth in the eight-team Atlantic Division. Its next scheduled game is at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday.
