BRIGHTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 23: General manager Don Sweeney of the Boston Bruins prepares for the first round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft at Warrior Ice Arena on July 23, 2021 in Brighton, Massachusetts. (Photo by Mike Penhollow/NHLI via Getty Images)
There are numerous inquiries regarding the Boston Bruins new goalie addition, Joonas Korpisalo. Despite facing challenges during his previous season with the Ottawa Senators, the Boston front office saw potential in him. Consider that the Sens retained salary on Korpisalo, this resulted in a $3 million yearly agreement for the next four years and the trade of Linus Ullmark. This marks a new beginning, and fans are optimistic that this season will yield far better results than the last for the Finland native.
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Boston Bruins New Goalie Excited About 2024-25
After signing a new contract with the Senators last year, Korpisalo took to the ice for 55 games. He secured 21 victories and finished with a save percentage of .890. Unfortunately, that figure placed him at the bottom of the rankings among 20 goalies who played at least 50 games in the 2023-24 season, while his goals against average of 3.27 also landed him in last place. Additionally, he was part of an Ottawa goaltending team that constantly surrendered goals early in periods. However, as he embarks on a new chapter in Boston, a team known for elevating its goaltenders’ performances, the 30-year-old appears to be optimistic, believing that the right environment can make all the difference.
The fantastic opportunity in Boston really kicks off with Korpisalo receiving direct coaching from Bruins goaltending expert Bob Essensa. Widely regarded as a true maestro in his field, Essensa sees potential for improvement in certain aspects of Korpisalo’s game that the Bruins believe can be refined. It’s certainly intriguing to consider whether the Ottawa experience was simply a negative chapter for Finnish goaltender Korpisalo. And if a change of scenery could be the key to revitalizing his performance.
This isn’t an unprecedented scenario. Korpisalo previously transitioned from Columbus to Los Angeles at the end of the 2022-23 season. During his time with the Kings, he showcased a commendable performance, securing seven victories and achieving a .921 save percentage over 11 games. This was particularly impressive given that the Kings ranked among the top five teams in the league for shots against per 60 minutes, expected goals against per 60, and high-danger scoring chances against per 60. If Korpisalo can recapture that form, the $3 million investment for a reliable backup behind Jeremy Swayman will be more than justified.
