When the Boston Bruins dealt goaltender Linus Ullmark last June, few were shocked by the decision. What did catch many off guard was his destination — the Ottawa Senators, a division rival — and the relatively modest return for a former Vezina Trophy winner.
In exchange, Boston received forward Mark Kastelic, who projects as a fourth-liner, goalie Joonas Korpisalo, and a first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. That selection was used on Dean Letourneau, who just wrapped up his freshman year at Boston College. One key factor behind the limited return was Ullmark’s contract status — with just one year left and no extension in place. However, he did sign a long-term deal with Ottawa early in the season.
Korpisalo arrived in Boston viewed as a reclamation project following a rough 2023-24 campaign in Ottawa. Bruins goalie coach Bob Essensa was expected to work with him to spark a turnaround. Now, as part of our season-end evaluations, we assess Korpisalo’s 2024-25 performance.
Joonas Korpisalo’s Season Review
Could things have gone worse for Korpisalo after his forgettable stint in Ottawa, where he posted a 21-26-4 record with a 3.27 GAA and .890 save percentage on a non-playoff team? Maybe not — but he did manage to show improvement in Boston.
All signs point to Joonas Korpisalo making Bruins debut vs. Florida – masslive.com
Joonas Korpisalo
In 2024-25, Korpisalo appeared in 24 games, going 11-10-3 with a 2.90 GAA, a .893 save percentage, and three shutouts. While the Bruins weren’t significantly stronger defensively than the Senators, Korpisalo delivered more consistent results. At times, he even looked like the better option over Jeremy Swayman.
Despite a rocky debut — allowing four first-period goals and six total against the defending champion Florida Panthers on opening night — Korpisalo had stretches where he was excellent, keeping Boston in games they had no business being in.
What’s Next for Korpisalo and the Bruins?
Korpisalo expressed frustration at season’s end, believing he deserved more starts. He criticized both the coaching staff and front office, and his agent publicly challenged GM Don Sweeney with an ultimatum: “Play him or trade him.”
The latter is likely the more logical path. Korpisalo carries a $3 million average annual value, which is a steep price for a backup goalie who hasn’t proven to be markedly better than the $8.25 million starter ahead of him. With free agency looming on July 1, clearing that cap space is critical.
The Bruins also have cheaper internal options, such as AHL goalies Michael DiPietro and Brandon Bussi, who could easily replicate Korpisalo’s workload. For Boston, this offseason is about staying competitive while creating flexibility. Trading Korpisalo would be a step in that direction.