NHL Buzz: Bruins Likely to Shift Korpisalo amid Intense Goalie Competition | NHL News Times of India

The Boston Bruins are expected to trade goaltender Joonas Korpisalo due to an overcapacity in the goalie position as the training camp approaches. Jeremy Swayman is currently assumed to be the Bruins’ primary goalie for the upcoming 2025-26 season, leaving questions on who will be his backup, or if Korpisalo will even remain in the roster.

Rob Couch, an NHL insider, mentioned that the Bruins might let Korpisalo go as he may be uncomfortable with his current situation. Despite performing well last season, Korpisalo had only 24 starts and has been seeking a more substantial role which he could not find in Boston.

Additionally, with the Bruins planning to promote Michael DiPietro to the NHL due to the latter’s readiness, Korpisalo has been in trade discussions and is likely to be traded soon. With a $3 million annual cap hit for three more years, Korpisalo was successful in Columbus and Los Angeles. Therefore, retaining even more to move him might also be a viable option for the Bruins.

Korpisalo has previously expressed his frustration regarding the lack of game time last season when he claimed that he “barely saw ice” despite delivering stable performances. This public disapproval has added to speculations that he might leave Boston soon.

Michael DiPietro’s accelerated development has put a strain on Boston’s front office to make certain decisions. At age 25, DiPietro is viewed as NHL-ready. Having him wait another year in the AHL could potentially hinder his growth. Hence, promoting him to the top level seems logical but this would force Korpisalo to be removed from contention.

Should General Manager Don Sweeney choose to trade Korpisalo, this may provide Boston with significant cap flexibility that could be used to improve other parts of the roster. Given that several teams are still unsettled with their goalies, it’s highly likely that the Bruins will find teams interested in acquiring the veteran.

In conclusion, if the Bruins are committed to developing DiPietro while retaining faith in Swayman as their main goalie, Korpisalo’s departure seems more a question of “when” than “if.”