Bruins Have Decision to Make at Backup Goaltender

By: Tom Calautti | Follow me on Twitter/X @TCalauttis

The Boston Bruins have some decisions to make at their backup goaltender position. Jeremy Swayman is the clear and undisputed starter, as well as a leader on this team, but the goaltending behind him has some question marks.

Since being acquired in the Linus Ullmark trade, the B’s have trotted out veteran Joonas Korpisalo as their number 2. The Pori, Finland, native has started 52 games in that span, going 25-19-9 with a .894 save percentage and a goals-against average of 3.03.

Personally, I feel Korpisalo has been an average, albeit unspectacular, backup while in Boston. The numbers don’t jump off the page, but he’s been serviceable enough to help the team get back to the postseason. The problem is the contract.

The 32-year-old is in the middle of a five-year, $20 million deal that pays him $4 million per season (with the Ottawa Senators covering $1 million of that). Boston already has $8.25 million committed to Swayman per season, and adding the extra $3 million for average goaltending isn’t exactly expert cap management.

The other thing to consider with Boston’s backup goaltending situation is Michael DiPietro’s stellar performance in Providence. Over the last two seasons, the 27-year-old has gone 60-16-6 with a .929 save percentage and a goals-against average of 1.98. In addition to posting those impressive numbers, he’s also won back-to-back Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Awards, which honor the AHL’s most outstanding goaltender.

We’ve reached the point where there’s little else DiPietro can prove in the minor leagues. He’s been an elite goaltender for two-plus seasons on one of the better teams in the AHL.

DiPietro’s contract situation further complicates the issue. The Windsor, Ontario, native is entering the final year of a two-year, $812,000 contract.

Because he’s spent so much time in the minors, he’s no longer waiver-exempt and could potentially be claimed by other teams if he’s assigned to Providence yet again. If that’s the case, the Bruins risk losing yet another young, promising goaltender that they’ve spent years developing for absolutely nothing.

There’s no guarantee that DiPietro’s minor league success will translate to the NHL, but as I stated before, he’s done more than enough to prove that he’s earned a shot. Given the team’s need for increased cap flexibility and a potential upgrade at backup goalie, wouldn’t it make sense to allow him to prove himself?

Regardless of what management decides, it looks like we’re reaching the end of the timeline for the Boston Bruins keeping both of these goaltenders. It’ll be interesting to see if any moves are made this offseason to add some clarity to the situation.