Rask was on the ice at Warrior Ice Arena on Monday with Bruins goalie coach Bob Essensa working his way back from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip in late July.
"I was told originally that the timeline for him to return to play -- wherever that is, whether it's Boston or somewhere else -- would be January to February. I guess the best I can tell you is he's on target for that," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said Tuesday.
Rask said in August that he could be ready as soon as late December, and that he would be a "cheap goalie" for the Bruins should Boston choose to sign him. The 34-year-old was 15-5-2 with a 2.28 goals-against average, a .913 save percentage and two shutouts in 24 games last season.
"He's here in the mornings working with some of our trainers, using the facility, and then he leaves," Cassidy said. "Typically there's a crossover when we come in. But we've afforded him that and I think it's worked out well. Tuukka's just coming in, being a good professional, getting his work done and I think it's worked out fine for him to allow him to do that."
The Bruins (5-4-0) are using Linus Ullmark, who signed a four-year, $20 million contract as a free agent July 28, and rookie Jeremy Swayman in goal. Ullmark is 3-2-0 with a 2.59 GAA and .918 save percentage in five games. Swayman is 2-2-0 with a 2.28 GAA and .900 save percentage in four games.
Rask has spent his entire 14-season NHL career with the Bruins. He is their all-time leader in wins with 306 and is second in shutouts (52), behind Tiny Thompson (74). In 560 games, Rask is 306-163-66 with a 2.27 GAA and .921 save percentage, helping them reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2013, where they lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in six games, and in 2019, where they lost to the St. Louis Blues in seven games.
"I have been so lucky to be part of only one team in the NHL," Rask said in August. "For me, it's about that pride of playing for one team and one team only. I have no reason to chase the money anymore and go somewhere else. It's going to be one of those things where the Bruins are my home, Boston is my home. I've always wanted to play here, wanted to stay here. So the money won't be an issue. We had a conversation with [Bruins general manager Don Sweeney] and I will be a cheap goalie for them.
"I would say I'm not looking for a $7 million contract anymore. I just like to help the team out. I feel like I'm a veteran goalie and there are some young guys coming in, so whatever I can do to help the guys out I will do it and end my career as a Bruin."
