Don Sweeney bolstered the Bruins’ goaltending depth on Monday morning with the signing of netminder Simon Zajicek to a one-year, entry-level contract. The deal carries an $872,500 cap hit.
Zajicek, 23, has spent the last six seasons playing in the Czech Extraliga for HC Litvínov. Standing at 6-foot-2 and 187 pounds, the left-catching goaltender put together an impressive campaign last season, leading the league with a .930 save percentage and recording a 2.12 goals-against average.
The move comes after a disappointing year in net for Boston during the 2024–25 season.
Jeremy Swayman, fresh off signing an eight-year, $66 million deal, struggled to live up to expectations, finishing with a 22-29-7 record, an .892 save percentage, and a 3.11 GAA. His backup, Joonas Korpisalo, didn’t fare much better, posting an 11-10-3 record, .893 save percentage, and 2.90 GAA.
At his end-of-season press conference, Sweeney addressed questions about whether the imbalance in playing time—Swayman started 58 games, Korpisalo just 27—may have impacted their performances.
Šimon Zajíček – Sport.czSimon Zajicek
“Jeremy flat-out denied that the heavier workload played a role,” Sweeney said. “On the flip side, Korpisalo expressed that he felt underused and wanted more chances to take on a larger role. That’s the kind of internal competition we need again — guys pushing each other for ice time and opportunity.”
Sweeney added that there were stretches when Korpisalo deserved the net, but the team also prioritized giving Swayman opportunities to regain form, especially in key situations.
“If we’re going to be a successful team, we need Jeremy performing at the high level he’s fully capable of,” Sweeney emphasized.
With the addition of Zajicek, the Bruins are hoping to create more competition in the crease—and perhaps spark a bounce-back year for their goaltending tandem.