Boston Bruins still open the season with Joonas Korpisalo

The Boston Bruins have finally signed star goaltender Jeremy Swayman to a new contract, keeping him in town for the next eight years. After a full offseason of negotiations and rising tensions, the Bruins and Swayman agreed to a long-term contract that will pay the goaltender $8.25 million annually.

Even though his new contract is signed, the Bruins are sticking with their goaltending decision for opening night of the 2024-25 season. In a press conference about a week before Swayman signed his contract, head coach Jim Montgomery announced that Joonas Korpisalo would be the Bruins' starting goaltender for their first game of the season.

General manager Don Sweeney stated that Korpisalo will continue to be the Bruins' opening night starter when they face the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

The Bruins have completed their preseason preparation and only have a few days left until the official start of the season. The coaching staff and front office believe Swayman doesn't have enough time to find a rhythm before entering regular season games.

It likely won't be long before Swayman makes his season debut with the Bruins, but they want him to be up to speed so he can be at his best.

The Bruins acquired Korpisalo in exchange for Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark in the offseason, showing their commitment to Swayman. Korpisalo struggled with the Ottawa Senators in 2023-24, but he should be a capable name between the pipes in his role.

In 55 games last year, Korpisalo posted a 21-26-4 record and an .890 save percentage and 3.27 goals against average. In his 276-game NHL career, his record is a respectable 117-107-29.

If Swayman is ready to go, the Bruins should have a strong goaltending duo again. It may not be as strong as the Ullmark/Swayman battery, but Swayman leading the way in potentially 60 games this season should prove beneficial for the Bruins.

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