When the Boston Bruins shipped 2023 Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators last summer, the return—a depth forward, a struggling goalie, and a first-round pick—left fans underwhelmed.
The centerpiece of that deal, Joonas Korpisalo, arrived in Boston as a reclamation project after a dismal season in Ottawa. Fast forward to 2024-25, and the Finnish netminder’s uneven resurgence has sparked a high-stakes dilemma for GM Don Sweeney: Keep, trade, or risk a locker room rift?
Korpisalo’s Redemption Arc (Sort Of)
Statistically, Korpisalo’s Bruins tenure outpaced his Senators collapse. After posting a .890 save percentage and 3.27 GAA in Ottawa, he improved to a .893 SV% and 2.90 GAA in Boston, including three shutouts. While hardly elite, the 30-year-old showed flashes of reliability behind a patchwork Bruins defense—even outdueling star Jeremy Swayman at times.
His opening-night meltdown against Florida (6 goals allowed) gave way to gritty performances, earning praise from coaches.
The Agent’s Ultimatum: Play Him or Lose Him
But Korpisalo isn’t content as a backup. Publicly criticizing his limited role (24 games), he and his agent issued a blunt demand: “Play him or trade him.” With a $3M cap hit through 2025-26, his salary complicates Boston’s tight finances. Cheaper AHL options like Brandon Bussi loom, and every dollar matters as Sweeney eyes free agency to retool the roster.
Why a Trade Makes Sense—and Why It’s Tricky
Moving Korpisalo could free crucial cap space, but his middling stats won’t spark a bidding war. The Bruins might need to sweeten a deal or retain salary, a risky move for a team already lacking draft capital. Alternatively, betting on his incremental growth could backfire if his play plateaus.
Verdict:
Korpisalo’s bounce-back is real but fragile. For a Bruins squad in “win-now” mode, his $3M contract is a luxury they can’t afford. Expect Sweeney to aggressively shop him this summer, prioritizing flexibility over a goalie whose resurgence came with an asterisk—and an ultimatum.
