Bruins claim goalie off waivers

The Bruins added to their goaltending strength on Wednesday when they shut out Jiri Patera of the Vancouver Canucks.

Patera signed an entry-level contract with the Vegas Golden Knights in June 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was loaned to České Budějovice – his former Czech ice hockey team. The 25-year-old made his NHL debut with the Golden Knights in March 2023 and stopped 30 of 33 shots in a 5-3 win over the St. Louis Blues.

The goalie was part of the Golden Knights' 2022-23 Stanley Cup-winning team as the third and sometimes fourth goalie. Patera spent much of the playoffs on Vegas' active roster.

Patera spent last season with Vegas and played in six games (five starts), compiling a 1-3-1 record with an .893 save percentage and 3.98 goals-against average.

The Canucks signed Patera to a two-year, dual contract in July but placed him on waivers on Tuesday.

The move comes as the Bruins deal with tensions surrounding Jeremy Swayman. The restricted free agent remains without a contract, and president Cam Neely revealed Monday that he would have “64 million reasons” to play if he were Swayman.

The goalie's agent, Lewis Gross, denied that a $64 million deal was ever on the table.