Michael DiPietro’s path to the Bruins’ backup job got a lot clearer this summer, and now the pressure is starting to show up right alongside the opportunity.
With Joonas Korpisalo traded to the New York Rangers, Boston opened the door for DiPietro to step into the No. 2 role behind Jeremy Swayman. That move also gave the Bruins the cap relief and roster flexibility they were looking for, while putting the 2022 acquisition from Vancouver in position to make his first NHL season count.
DiPietro’s rise has not been quiet. He spent the last two seasons putting together a strong run in Providence, and his numbers forced the organization to take him seriously.
Last year, he went 34-8-1 for the Providence Bruins after going 26-8-4 in 2024-25, taking over as the starter from Brandon Bussi. Boston ultimately chose to bring DiPietro back last summer, and Bussi moved on to Florida before landing with Carolina, where he was part of a Stanley Cup run.
The attention around DiPietro is not just local anymore. Jesse Granger of The Athletic named him one of eight potential breakout goalies for the upcoming season, and the praise was direct.
"DiPietro has been the best goalie in the AHL for two straight years, and last season joined Calgary’s Dustin Wolf as the only goalies in the last 22 years to win the league MVP. His ridiculous .930 save percentage and sub-2.0 goals-against average scream that he’s ready for the next level, and now he should get that opportunity,'' wrote Granger.
That kind of language comes with weight, especially for a goalie who had to clear waivers to get back to the AHL last season and still drew plenty of interest around the league. Boston clearly didn’t want to risk losing him, and trading Korpisalo was the cleanest way to make sure that didn’t happen.
Now the path is there. Unless something unexpected changes, DiPietro is lined up to compete for the Opening Night roster and, in all likelihood, take on the backup role behind Swayman. For a goalie who spent the past two seasons dominating in Providence, the next test is finally here.
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Under the new NHL collective bargaining agreement, the Bruins no longer have the same long-term flexibility they once did with their own players, which changes how they can structure deals for Zacha and other centers. Sweeneys comments made clear that the team is weighing more than one contract issue at once, and the length of the offer may be just as important as the money when it comes to getting something done. [Read more 🡒]