It’s been a tough season for the Boston Bruins, and fans are getting frustrated. A team that’s used to being good is now in uncharted territory, looking for answers. It’s easy to blame injuries or bad luck, but some players just didn’t show up when it mattered most.
When you have to rebuild or retool, you have to make tough decisions. And for general manager Don Sweeney, two players stand out as expendable assets who haven’t earned their spot on this roster. Let’s get into why Elias Lindholm and Joonas Korpisalo might not have a future in Boston.
Elias Lindholm: A Trade Away from Finding His Fit
When Elias Lindholm joined the Bruins, fans hoped he’d find his old self from Calgary. Unfortunately, he’s been a total bust. 47 points and 17 goals in 82 games isn’t what you get from a guy who’s supposed to be a top 6 player on a Cup contender. Sure, he tied for 3rd on the team in scoring with Brad Marchand and Pavel Zacha, but Marchand was traded midseason and Zacha struggled early on.
Lindholm brought physicality, blocked shots, and won faceoffs, but that wasn’t enough. The Bruins needed offense, and Lindholm just didn’t deliver. His game is more suited for a middle 6 on a contender than the top 6 expectations on him in Boston. If the Bruins are serious about retooling, trading Lindholm could free up cap space and bring back assets that fit more into their long term vision.
Joonas Korpisalo: Ready for a Fresh Start
It’s no surprise Joonas Korpisalo wants more ice time—and honestly, the Bruins should give it to him. Korpisalo had some bright moments this season, three shutouts in 24 starts, but inconsistency was his calling card in Boston. He rarely put together two good games in a row, and his numbers are mixed. 0.500 quality start percentage and five “really bad starts” (25% of his starts) mean he was unreliable when the Bruins needed him most.
Fair enough, Korpisalo outperformed Jeremy Swayman in save percentage (0.893) and GAA (2.90). But Swayman is the goalie of the future in Boston and especially after signing a big contract extension. Korpisalo knows his time in Boston is running out. Sending him to a team like Columbus, where he could be a 1B goalie, makes sense for both.
Why These Moves Matter?
They are at a crossroads. Retooling isn’t just about getting rid of underperformers—it’s about making room for young players and retooling the roster to win for years to come. Trading Elias Lindholm and Joonas Korpisalo would show they are willing to change and win over being mediocre.
For Bruins fans sick of watching their team come up short these moves could be the start of something better. Letting go of players who no longer fit the vision isn’t easy, but it’s necessary if Boston wants to get back to winning.