Could the Boston Bruins do the unthinkable and begin the 2024-2025 season with three goaltenders?
The easy answer is no. The more complicated answer is yes.
We believe Jeremy Swayman will be signed and that there will be enough cap space to support a 23-man roster. The uncertainty lies in whether they will opt for two additional forwards or two additional defensemen or, as hinted in the article title, “Three Goaltenders?”
The outcome will depend on the performance of Joonas Korpisalo, Brandon Bussi, and Michael DiPietro at camp. All three goalies need waivers to be assigned to Providence in the AHL, raising the possibility of losing one through waivers. This risk is heightened due to the diminishing goaltending prospects following the non-renewal of Kyle Keyser and the departure of Reid Dyck.
Teams can begin placing players on waivers for assignment to the AHL 12 days prior to the season’s commencement and must reduce the roster to 23 players by opening day. This requires all players who need waivers for assignment to the AHL to be placed on waivers the day before the NHL season starts.
History tells us, waiting longer increases the likelihood of passing a player through waivers successfully as many teams have already finalized their rosters. Additionally, if a team claims a player, they must keep them on the NHL roster for the entire season to avoid losing them to any other team that put in a claim. They also can’t trade the player without first offering him to any other team that may have put in a claim.
Many experts believe that either Korpisalo or Bussi will secure the backup position. If both perform well at training camp and are deserving of a spot on the team, it may be more straightforward to place Korpisalo on waivers due to the difficulty many teams would face in absorbing his contract.
If Korpisalo secures the position during training camp and Bussi also performs well, rival GMs will take notice. Opting to wait until the season begins, when opposing teams are fully committed to their rosters, might be the more prudent choice.
General Manager Don Sweeney and Assistant GM Evan Gold are going to have to keep their eyes and ears on the ground. It’s going to come down to timing and having a sense on what their counterparts around the league are thinking.
Dom - Hockey 
I don’t believe it is outlandish to believe that the Bruins will manage with a 22 man roster with a 3rd goalie filling the 23rd slot. They’ve basically used a 22 man roster for the past few years.
I also believe that they are targeting a 7.65M contract for Swayman to allow them to call up a player without dipping into LTIR.
LikeLike
Dom. I think I miscalculated. What do you project is the maximum they can pay Swayman while maintaining atleast 775k space in room in case they want to bring a player up during injury without dipping into LTIR. Think it iight be closer to 7.95M if Lysell is on the roster and they carry 23
LikeLike
It all depends on who is on the roster and who doesn’t make it. If you check on my cap page (up at the top) it is with a 23-man roster and about as accurate as you will find. Some of the players like Oesterle might be dropped and someone with the same salary might be in his place, otherwise we are talking pennies.
LikeLike