A completed trade between the Bruins and Maple Leafs changes everything
On this day in 2006, the Toronto Maple Leafs shot themselves in the foot, as they moved on from goalie Tuukka Rask.
In doing so, they acquired veteran Andrew Raycroft from long-time rivals, the Boston Bruins.
This trade would alter the franchises significantly, as Tuuka Rask ultimately the better of the two goals would be a big part of the Bruins franchise long-term.
Rask would be a Vezina Trophy winner, and a Stanley Cup trophy winner, with the Bruins.
Prior to the trade, in 2004 Raycroft had won the Calder Trophy in 2004, going 29-18-9 before experiencing a massive drop in play. In 2006 he had a 3.71 GAA and an abysmal .874 save percentage.
While Rask was still a prospect for the Maple Leafs, in 2006 still in Finland posting a 2.38 GAA and a .928 save percentage.
Tim Thomas's ascent into the starting position would make Raycroft expendable and of course, the Leafs were eager to deal with one of the best goalies in the NHL, yet they just didn't know it yet.
interm general manager Jeff Gorton, who was at the NHL draft in
Vancouver. "It just didn't work out. The year didn't go the way he
wanted or we wanted. I think it got to Andrew to be quite honest. I
think the situation got to him, I think the trade of Joe Thornton
got to him, I think a lot of things got to him."
During the Bruins Stanley Cup run in 2011, Rask played 23 games, with a 2.05 GAA, and a .929 save percentage.
Forever changing the franchise for the better and would eventually step into the #1 role, when Tim Thomas was traded to the New York Islanders in 2013.
Source: ESPN
Bruins trade Raycroft to Leafs for goalie prospect
| POLL | ||
Who won the trade? | ||
| Bruins | 90 | 70.3 % |
| Leafs | 38 | 29.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
