New York Rangers
· 2026-07-03
The New York Rangers have acquired goaltender Joonas Korpisalo from the Boston Bruins, adding a veteran presence to their goaltending pool.
The trade, which included a 2028 fourth-round pick and minor league winger Kalle Väisänen, was a surprising move given Dylan Garand's emergence as a potential backup goaltender.
Korpisalo, 32, brings 334 games of NHL experience to the Rangers, having played for four teams in 11 seasons.
The addition of Korpisalo creates competition for Garand, who had been expected to take over as the team's backup goaltender following Jonathan Quick's retirement.
As of the current season, the New York Rangers stand 16th in the Eastern Conference with a 34-39 record, on a W1 streak.
General manager Chris Drury stated that the team had explored various options before deciding on Korpisalo, citing his skill set and experience as the best fit for their needs.
Korpisalo's cap hit for the next two seasons will be $3 million, with the Ottawa Senators retaining 25 percent of his salary.
Garand, who signed a two-year contract in June, will earn $875,000 annually through 2027-28.
The Rangers' decision to trade for Korpisalo has been graded as a C-, with some questioning the move given Garand's potential and the assets given up in the trade.
Korpisalo's on-ice results have been less impressive in recent seasons, with a 3.15 goals-against average and .894 save percentage over his past three seasons.
Drury may be hoping that Korpisalo can find a second wind with the Rangers, similar to Quick's resurgence after joining the team.
The trade has added depth to the Rangers' goaltending pool, but its impact on the team's performance remains to be seen.