By: Chris Nosek

There are several questions floating around about the Boston Bruins crease. As usual, it is one of the most polarizing positions among fans in the city. So far this season, Jeremy Swayman has started 29 games and Joonas Korpisalo has started 15. Each has been pulled one time this year. Posting a 7-8-0 record, a .888 save percentage, and 3.42 goals against average, Joonas Korpisalo has been the focus of fan ridicule.

There are several questions being posed by Bruins fans and the media. In addition to several theories being put out there. Let’s review some of these questions.

Why Is Swayman Getting So Many Starts?

This one is quite simple. True 1A starting goaltenders start a full slate of games. This typically falls between 58-62 starts in a season. Players in this category include: Connor Hellebuyck, Ilya Sorokin, Juuse Saros, Igor Shesterkin, and Andrei Vasilevskiy. Jeremy Swayman is widely viewed as being this caliber of goaltender. He is now paid at this level and is expected to perform in both quality and quantity of starts. This season, Swayman is on pace for 62 starts. This would be four additional starts from last season. He is on par with his expectations in both quality and quantity of starts.

Player	Contract Average Annual Value	Starts in 2021-22	Starts in 2022-23	Starts in 2023-24	Starts in 2024-25	On Pace for in 2025-26
Andrei Vasilevskiy	$9.5 million	63	60	52	63	52
Ilya Sorokin	$8.25 million	52	62	56	61	50
Igor Shesterkin	$11.5 million	53	58	44	61	*68
Connor Hellebuyck	$8.5 million	66	64	60	63	50
Juuse Saros	$7.74 million	67	64	64	58	68
Jeremy Swayman	$8.25 million	41	37	44	**58	60

Does Sturm Trust Korpisalo?

I think Sturm views Korpisalo for what he is, a backup goaltender. He is going to favor starting Jeremy Swayman on any given night. As a starting goaltender, Swayman gives the team the best chance to win on any given night. Sturm also has to consider if Korpisalo is in a position to succeed. The way the team plays from game to game is a major factor in this consideration. Due to the team’s struggling defense this season, Swayman has gotten some starts you wouldn’t expect. Whether it’s trying to build momentum or turn fortunes around, Swayman is the starter – expect him to play.

For this question, I’ll also add that there is no indication of mistrust in him. This is based on his utilization. He has gotten seven starts against divisional opponents, including games against Detroit and Tampa Bay. He has also gotten four other starts against playoff contenders: Anaheim (two starts), Utah, and the New York Islanders. It seems the expectation is a rough 60:22 split between Swayman and Korpisalo. Thus far is seems the schedule is the deciding factor for Korpy’s 22 games, and nothing more.

What Is Korpisalo Worth?

There are many fans looking for Don Sweeney to trade Joonas Korpisalo. Given his role as a true backup goaltender, there are limited teams that would be interested. Each team has its own situation in its crease. Many are starting to take a deeper look at the position and re-evaluate who they have and how they’re utilized. The salary of his contract is certainly a deterrent for some teams. However, the Bruins haven’t been afraid to retain salary on players in the past. If getting Korpisalo to a $1.5 million cap hit was the only hold up for a trade Boston really wanted to make, then it would get done.

Yes – the team could put Korpisalo on waivers and hope he gets through to the minors. However, there are plenty of teams that would claim him off the waiver wire. If any team is interested in trading for Korpisalo right now, what is the rush? Force Boston’s hand to put him on the waiver wire and claim him without giving up an asset. In a year of inconsistency for Boston, Korpisalo is a known commodity. Sometimes that’s more valuable that trying the unknown.

Does Michael DiPietro Deserve An NHL Chance?

Based on his play in the American Hockey League, yes – Michael DiPietro deserves a chance in the NHL. HOWEVER, there are still significant concerns about his ability to translate his game to the NHL. DiPietro plays very aggressively. This often leads to committing to a shot too early or over-committing to a shooter who still has passing options. DiPietro has elite athleticism. In the AHL, it is this athleticism that allows him to still make a save. At the NHL, however, the shooters are significantly better. A shot that takes a touch to control by an AHL shooter gets one-timed in the NHL. That little bit of time difference is enough to beat a goaltender of DiPietro’s stature by the slightest of margins.

The Bruins are currently in a fight for the playoffs. They aren’t going to jeopardize that by putting DiPietro in the net without a reason. And no, Korpisalo’s numbers aren’t a good enough reason to “do it anyway.” DiPietro will get a chance at the NHL level at some point. Maybe that comes later this year in Boston. If they fall out of the playoff hunt, I’d expect him to see some games. Otherwise, it’s just a matter of time.

Cayden Primeau, Colten Ellis, and Brandon Bussi have all been claimed off waivers this season. It was the end of training camps, after teams had made their roster decisions, when DiPietro cleared waivers this season. A team claiming him would be putting him on their roster without any time in their organization during camp.It was a strategic move by Sweeney and it worked. This just gives DiPietro more time in Providence, allowing him to refine his game. DiPietro needs to remain ready for when that chance does come. Juuse Saros and Dustin Wolf broke through as smaller goaltenders. DiPietro needs to

Did The Bruins Miss On Brandon Bussi?

Brandon Bussi was claimed off the waiver wire at the start of the season because Frederik Andersen was injured. Since then, Andersen and Pytr Kochetkov have both suffered injuries throughout the season. As of December 29th, 2025 Pytr Kochetkov will miss the remainder of the season. This has allowed Bussi to be the stabilizing factor in the crease for the Hurricanes. Currently, Bussi has a 16-2-1 record and has posted a .902 save percentage and a 2.28 goals against average over his 19 starts.

The Bruins had to decide between the two last season after Jeremy Swayman signed his new contract during training camp. Bussi was placed on waivers and sent to Providence after having a very shaky camp. At the time it was clearly the correct decision. Bussi ended up spending the entire season in Providence. As soon as he hit unrestricted free agency on July 1st, he signed with the Florida Panthers. He failed to beat out Daniil Tarasov and was waived again. He was claimed because of an injury that made Pyotr Kochetkov start the season on Injured Reserve. Upon the return of Kochetkov, Bussi was clearly the odd man out. However, injuries to Andersen and Kochetkov have kept Bussi on the roster. He’s turned into the team’s most consistent man in the crease. He will likely spend the rest of the season with the NHL club. Kochetkov was ruled out for the season on December 29th. This doesn’t mean the Bruins missed on Bussi. It just means when his opportunity came, he was ready – which is what DiPietro needs to do.

Should The Bruins Sell High On Korpisalo?

So far this season, Korpisalo has gone through two losing streaks of three games. He’s coming off a great weekend that saw him post Boston’s first shutout of the season. He is now 3-2-0 in his last five games and has gotten his season record to 8-8-0. He has a .955 save percentage in his three games since the Christmas break.

Korpisalo is certainly playing much better lately than he had earlier this season. However, the decision to move on from Korpisalo comes down to Michael DiPietro and his catch-22 situation. He needs to prove that he can perform at the NHL level. However, in order for him to do that, he needs to get NHL starts. Swayman will be relied on heavily because of his role as the starter, and Korpisalo remains a capable backup. DiPietro is viewed as a wild card – and thus a risk. Until their hand is forced, or they fall out of the playoff race, the Bruins will retain Korpisalo.