Report: Bruins Close to Re-Signing Tuukka Rask

Tuukka Rask becomes a restricted free agent on Sunday, but it likely won't mean much.

The Bruins are close to re-signing Rask, according to ESPN.com.

As it stands, any team can extend an offer sheet to the Finnish netminder starting Sunday. The Bruins would then have the opportunity to match any offer, which it's long been assumed they'd do. However, the B's could be shutting down that possibility of an offer sheet by inking Rask to a new deal before Sunday.

The B's will reportedly sign Rask to a new deal by Sunday barring a last-minute hang-up.

Rask last played on March 3 before suffering an abdominal/groin strain that sidelined him the remainder of the regular season. Before going down, Rask went 11-8-3 with a 2.05 goals against average and .929 save percentage in 23 games as Tim Thomas' backup.

Rask will assume the Bruins' starting position again this season in the wake of Thomas' sabbatical.