On Wednesday, Oct. 2, the Boston Bruins introduced that they’d claimed goaltender Jiri Patera off waivers from the Vancouver Canucks.
This makes three gamers that the Bruins have acquired from the Canucks earlier than the common season begins, and the second goaltender they’ve acquired within the offseason, the opposite being Joonas Korpisalo, after all.
Associated: When Ought to Bruins Followers Begin Panicking About Jeremy Swayman?
Patera will barely make a dent in Boston’s payroll as he solely carries with him a cap hit of $775,000 in each the 2024-25 season and the 2025-26 season as he was signed by Vancouver within the offseason. On high of him being a discount financially, he’s additionally on a two-way contract, which supplies the Bruins the power to ship him to the American Hockey League (AHL) if want be and belief the goalies of their system.
This actually begs the query, what’s their plan transferring ahead with Patera and what does it imply about their angle in direction of their present scenario in purpose?
The Transfer Additionally Reveals Desperation on Boston’s Finish
By buying Patera, Boston reveals that they don’t seem to be solely keen to attend out Jeremy Swayman and hope he comes down on his asking value, however that they’re determined to have a goalie on the roster who has NHL expertise. Patera doesn’t have a lot, nevertheless it’s greater than each Michael DiPietro and Brandon Bussi.
It additionally reveals a scarcity of religion that the Bruins have in Bussi in the intervening time. Bussi has had a lackluster preseason to say the least, and is trending in direction of beginning the season with AHL Windfall, sadly.
With no different netminders within the system with NHL expertise exterior of DiPietro, who has simply three video games beneath his belt, until Boston indicators Swayman earlier than the season begins, it seems that Patera will begin the season because the backup to Korpisalo in internet.
Patera has solely performed in eight video games on the NHL (seven begins), and holds a 3-3-1 report. He additionally has a 3.57 targets towards common (GAA), and .902 save share SV%.) The majority of Patera’s profession, nevertheless, has been within the AHL with the Henderson Silver Knights.
With the Silver Knights within the 2023-24 season, he performed in 25 video games, posting a 2.99 GAA and an .893 SV%.
Whereas Patera might not be probably the most excellent possibility for the Bruins, they should take advantage of out of a fully horrendous scenario. Each goaltenders can be model new to the system and the workforce, and should develop chemistry with their teammates. Needless to say the common season begins in 5 days.
Isn’t Patera Only a Youthful, Much less Skilled Model of Swayman?
The humorous half about Boston caliming Patera is that he’s a really related participant to Swayman; nevertheless, there’s one factor that stands out as a distinction: NHL expertise. Swayman has performed way more NHL video games than Patera, however if you take a look at the best way they line up body smart and age smart, they’re very related.
Swayman stands at 6-foot-3, and Patera is 6-foot-2. Swayman weighs in at 195 kilos, and Patera weighs in at 209 kilos. Swayman is 25 years previous and turns 26 in November, and Patera is 25 years previous and turns 26 in February. Not solely are the Bruins getting a really similar-looking goaltender, however they’re getting him for a discount as properly, particularly with Swayman seeking to set the marketplace for future goalies.
Patera almost certainly signed with Vancouver on the lookout for a chance to interrupt into the goaltender room and take over the backup position behind Thatcher Demko. With the uncertainty in Boston surrounding its personal goalie room, and its personal inexperience, it leaves this author to marvel if the Bruins will break up duties between Korpisalo and Patera, simply as they did with Swayman and the departed Linus Ullmark.
What’s Subsequent on Boston’s Slate?
Boston’s subsequent preseason sport is tonight in Quebec Metropolis, QC the place they tackle the Los Angeles Kings. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m.