The Boston Bruins have made a significant move by adding experienced goaltender Joonas Korpisalo to their roster, sparking excitement and raising expectations for the upcoming 2024-25 NHL season.
Korpisalo’s arrival in Boston comes after a challenging season with the Ottawa Senators, where he struggled to find his best form. Despite these difficulties, the Bruins’ front office saw potential in the Finnish netminder, leading to a $3 million per year deal over the next four years. The trade also involved sending Linus Ullmark out of Boston, marking a new beginning for both Korpisalo and the team.
Korpisalo’s Excitement for 2024-25 Season
Korpisalo, who played 55 games for the Senators last season, recorded 21 wins but finished with a disappointing .890 save percentage. His goals against average of 3.27 also ranked him last among the 20 goalies who played at least 50 games in the 2023-24 season. Despite these struggles, Korpisalo is optimistic about his fresh start with the Bruins, a team known for elevating the performance of their goaltenders.
“Last year was tough for everyone in Ottawa,” Korpisalo said during his introductory press conference via Zoom. “The team underperformed, and it was a long season with changes in the GM, owner, and coaching staff. But that’s behind me now. I’m focused on the future, and I see a great opportunity here in Boston.”
Korpisalo Under New Leadership
Korpisalo’s opportunity in Boston will be enhanced by working closely with Bruins’ goaltending coach Bob Essensa, widely regarded as a master in his field. Essensa believes there are aspects of Korpisalo’s game that can be refined, and the Bruins are hopeful that a change of scenery will reignite his performance.
Korpisalo has shown in the past that he can excel in a new environment. After moving from Columbus to Los Angeles at the end of the 2022-23 season, he posted a .921 save percentage and seven wins in 11 games for the Kings. This impressive performance, particularly given the Kings’ strong defensive metrics, suggests that Korpisalo has the potential to thrive in Boston as well. If he can recapture that form, the $3 million investment as a reliable backup to Jeremy Swayman will be well worth it.
The Challenge Ahead
Some fans may assume that Korpisalo will automatically improve simply by joining the Bruins’ system, but the team must first prove they can return to the high standards set during the Bergeron-Chara era. Last season, both the Bruins and Senators allowed shots, expected goals, and high-danger chances at similar rates, but the key difference was that the Bruins’ goalies made crucial saves when it mattered most.
To address defensive concerns, the Bruins have also added the imposing Nikita Zadorov to bolster their defense, while Jay Leach returns to the Bruins after successfully enhancing the Seattle Kraken’s defensive lineup. Leach is expected to take over as the Bruins’ defensive coach, succeeding Joe Sacco.
A Bright Future Ahead
These changes should benefit Korpisalo, especially considering the Bruins’ track record of maintaining high goaltending standards. During Essensa’s tenure, no Bruins goalie has played at least 25 games with a save percentage below .900 since Andrew Raycroft’s .879 in the 2005-06 season. This has only happened once in 21 seasons of Bruins goalies playing a minimum of 25 games since 2003.
While the Bruins’ overall performance will be crucial, Korpisalo’s success will ultimately depend on his ability to bounce back from a challenging season. If he can do so, the Bruins’ goaltending tandem could become one of the strongest in the league, setting the stage for a promising season ahead.
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