Why Joonas Korpisalo Believes Bruins Can Get Him Back On Track

Joonas Korpisalo is embracing a fresh start with the Bruins after Boston acquired the goaltender in a June package that sent Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators.

The 30-year-old netminder had an overall record of 21-26-4 during the 2023-24 campaign with the Senators while posting a .890 save percentage and a 3.27 goals-against average. Ottawa finished seventh in the Atlantic Division, just two points ahead of the Montreal Canadiens, and missed the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season. The Senators’ struggles were indeed a challenge.

“It happens. Everyone did their best. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out,” Korpisalo told reporters after captain’s practice at Warrior Ice Arena on Thursday, per team-provided video. “It certainly wasn’t that no one tried enough, but that was last season. We’ve got a new season coming up.”

Korpisalo admitted he wasn’t expecting to be traded by the Senators, but landing with the Bruins excites him for new challenges with the Black and Gold.

“The trade came by surprise. But as the days went by, I was really happy and excited to get back here,” he said. “Just get to work with the boys. Things happen for a reason. I’m here now and super excited.”

While building chemistry with the team is different for goaltenders than for other skaters on the ice, Korpisalo is looking forward to building strong communication with the defensemen in front of him.

“We get only one job — it’s stop the puck,” Korpisalo said. “That’s the same in every team. Obviously, how the defensemen play and what the play calls for when playing the puck, I think that’s the biggest thing for a goalie and special teams.”

Along with partnering with Jeremy Swayman in Boston’s crease, Korpisalo is especially interested in working with Bruins goalie coach Bob Essensa.

“Seeing how the Boston goalies play here, I’m really excited to see Bob, and get to work with him and see what’s on his mind to make my game better,” Korpisalo said. “We’ve been talking a lot. He’s not here yet, but we’ve been catching up with each other throughout the summer.”

Korpisalo may have struggled in Ottawa last season, but his stats do not indicate what he can bring to the Bruins. Korpisalo spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Columbus Blue Jackets before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings in the 2022-23 season. He posted a .903 save percentage and a 3.06 goals-against average in 210 games for Columbus. He had an overall record of 7-3-1 in 11 regular-season games he played for Los Angeles with a .921 save percentage and 2.13 goals-against average.

“That was a good stretch. It was a good team. I got there pretty late, 10-15 games before the playoffs,” Korpisalo said. “But there’s something to learn from the playoffs. We didn’t go through. But I’ve had good stretches before, too. It’s just being myself. That’s pretty much it.”