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With Tuukka Rask out 4-6 weeks, Boston Bruins turn to Marty Turco

Greg Wyshynski

On Monday, the Boston Bruins announced that Tuukka Rask will be out for 4-6 weeks with a lower abdomen strain/groin strain. That leaves 37-year-old Tim Thomas to shoulder the load in the run up to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with the Ottawa Senators a scant three points away from the Bruins' Northeast Division lead (although the B's have three games in-hand).

The solution? Why, hire a 36-year-old goalie as an insurance policy!

Marty Turco, last seen in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks last season, has been signed by the Bruins on a one-year contract. From the Bruins:

Turco will be placed on waivers and if he clears waivers, he will join the Bruins on Wednesday, March 7. Please also note that if he does clear waivers, he will not be eligible to play in the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs should the Bruins qualify, as he is joining the club after the Trade Deadline.

The 36-year-old Turco is a 10-year NHL veteran who has played in 538 regular season games with the Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks. The 36-year-old Turco is a 10-year NHL veteran who has played in 538 regular season games with the Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks. During the 2010-11 NHL season as a member of the Blackhawks, Turco went 11-11-3 with a 3.02 GAA and .897 Save Percentage. Turco most recently played for EC Red Bull Salzburg in the Austrian First Division this year, where he made four regular season appearances and recorded a 2.64 Goals Against Average and .934 Save Percentage. He also played in six postseason games for Red Bull Salzburg and registered a 3.16 GAA And .911 Save Percentage.

Turco signed with EC Salzburg and their spiffy Red Bull sweaters for the European Trophy Finals and then signed on for the rest of the season.

Can he effectively spot-start down the stretch to give Thomas a rest, with Rask on the shelf? It's a good place for Turco to land, given the defensive prowess in front of him — the Bruins are sixth in the NHL in team GAA.

But as long as Thomas is healthy, one expects Turco to spend the majority of his time on the Bruins bench. Which means fans sitting near the glass better be ready to ante up.