Hours before the Boston Bruins traded goaltender Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators, the team announced the signing of Providence Bruins’ goalie Brandon Bussi to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000, which was slightly less than his qualifying offer of $787,500. Bussi is out of minor league options and has to pass waivers if sent down during the season.
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Bussi was signed out of Western Michigan University after going undrafted. The Sound Beach, New York native has yet to play in the NHL but has proven to be a good netminding prospect in Providence. In two seasons with the Baby Bruins, the 25-year-old Bussi has been the starter most of the time while splitting some time with Michael DiPietro last season. In his first full pro season in 2022-23, Bussi was 22-5-4 with a .924 save percentage and 2.40 goals against average. This past season, he was 23-10-5 with a .913 save percentage and 2.67 GAA. DiPietro, who was acquired in a trade for Jack Studnicka, was 18-9-2 with a .918 save percentage and 2.51 GAA.
With the addition of veteran goaltender Joonas Korpisalo as part of the Ullmark trade, there will be stiff competition for the backup role behind Jeremy Swayman. Korpisalo is coming off a subpar year with the Senators but has been better with less of a workload in previous seasons. Bussi, 25, and DiPietro, 25, project to be AHL options however, both goalies will have to go through the waiver process if not on the NHL roster. This creates an interesting dynamic as both young backstops would likely draw interest around the league.
The Bruins are back to having good organizational depth in the goaltending department with goaltender guru Bob Essensa at the helm with netminder development. The question will be whether Korpisalo wins the job and stays with the club or if the Bruins decide to flip or buy him out. Either way, Brandon Bussi has one more year to prove himself to the Boston Bruins.
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