Tuukka Rask has signed a professional tryout contract with the AHL Providence Bruins, the first major step in the star goaltender's comeback with the Boston Bruins.
Rask, 34, is an unrestricted free agent who underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip in late July. He is expected to start for Providence on Friday at home against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. After his minor league conditioning stint, Rask is expected to sign a contact with Boston for his 15th NHL season.
The Bruins, who hold the last wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, have gone with a goalie tandem of 23-year-old Jeremy Swayman and veteran Linus Ullmark, who signed a four-year, $20 million free-agent contract last summer.