The Boston Bruins have expanded their goaltending options by claiming Jiri Patera off waivers from the Vancouver Canucks, as uncertainty looms over Jeremy Swayman’s contract status ahead of the 2024-25 season. Patera has spent a significant portion of the 2023-24 season with the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL, while also making six appearances with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Currently, Swayman has not reported to Bruins training camp due to ongoing contract negotiations. Following his acquisition, Patera is now positioned to serve as a backup to Joonas Korpisalo, alongside prospects Brandon Bussi and Michael DiPietro. Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery confirmed that Korpisalo is expected to start in the season opener on October 8 against the Florida Panthers.
Korpisalo faced challenges during the 2023-24 season while serving as the starting goaltender for the Ottawa Senators, where he recorded a .890 save percentage, leading the team to a 21-26-4 record. Acquired in a trade for Linus Ullmark, who previously formed a formidable tandem with Swayman, Korpisalo's role is anticipated to be more favorable within the Bruins' system. As Swayman continues to be a restricted free agent embroiled in contract negotiations, Bruins president Cam Neely commented that he would have "64 million reasons why I'd be playing right now", an assertion contested by Swayman’s agent, Lewis Gross, who stated that no such offer has been received. Swayman posted a playoff-best .933 save percentage last season, solidifying his position as the starting netminder. The defense of the Bruins is further challenged by Swayman’s absence and the limited NHL experience among the remaining goaltenders. Bussi, an undrafted free agent from Western Michigan, has emerged as a top prospect, whereas DiPietro, who has previously started for the Vancouver Canucks, demonstrated proficiency in the AHL with a .918 save percentage. Patera, selected in the 2017 draft by the Golden Knights and recently signed a two-year, two-way deal with the Canucks, has an AHL save percentage of .903 and a career NHL save percentage of .902. The Bruins will have two more preseason games to evaluate Patera's fit within their roster, with potential appearances arranged against the Los Angeles Kings and Washington Capitals.