Barring any sort of late movement with Jeremy Swayman, the Bruins are going another path to start the season in net while holding out hope they can get the restricted free agent back with the team.
It shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, given Swayman has yet to report to camp, but B's coach Jim Montgomery revealed Monday the plan is for Joonas Korpisalo to start the season as Boston's top netminder.
"Where we are with camp right now with how well camp has gone, and how well Korpisalao has done, as of right now, (Korpisalo's) going to be our Game 1 starter," Montgomery told reporters at a press conference Monday.
Korpisalo has only played two preseason games, but the Bruins are pleased with his work in practice. The veteran goalie, acquired in an offseason trade with Ottawa, has had a chance to learn the Bruins' system and work with goalie guru Bob Essensa during training camp.
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"I think our staff has done a really good job of recognizing the players who are here, and that's where our focus has been," general manager Don Sweeney said. "Bob Essensa has worked, as I referenced earlier, worked extensively in camp (with) all of our goaltenders.
"He feels comfortable with the work thus far Korpisalo put in, the game he put in. … We're getting late enough into camp where it's unlikely Jeremy would be in a position, but today is a new day to continue to have a discussion and hopefully bridge the gap that still exists."
The Bruins open the season on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at Florida. As Montgomery noted, even a last-minute agreement between the two sides would make it difficult for Swayman to be on the ice given the lack of runway before the season begins.
As such, it's on Korpisalo to hold down the fort until the two sides can find common ground.
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