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Rangers Get Korpisalo, Trade Vaisanen, Gain Cap Space

7/1/2026

Summary

Rangers Acquire Korpisalo

The New York Rangers acquired veteran goaltender Joonas Korpisalo from the Boston Bruins on Wednesday.
The Rangers traded winger Kalle Vaisanen and a 2028 fourth-round draft pick to Boston.
Ottawa retained $1 million of Korpisalo’s $4 million cap hit, leaving the Rangers to pay $3 million.
Korpisalo will compete with 24-year-old Dylan Garand for the backup role behind Vezina winner Igor Shesterkin, giving the Rangers $12.675 million in cap space as payroll exceeds $15 million.

Summary

Korpisalo Gold

Joonas Korpisalo won gold at the 2026 IIHF World Championship, posting a 0.50 GAA and .974 save percentage.
He set NHL playoff record with 85 saves in five-OT loss in 2020 and reached 300th start on March 31 2026 with a .900 save percentage.
Prospect Kalle Vaisanen appeared in 48 Liiga games for Ilves in 2024-25, recorded five goals and four assists, and earned a silver medal at the 2022 World Juniors.

History

Historical Context

In 1994 the New York Rangers ended a 54-year championship drought by defeating the Vancouver Canucks 4-3, with veteran goaltender Mike Richter posting a 2.57 GAA and 31 wins. The win reinforced a pattern of relying on experienced netminders, a strategy echoed today as the Rangers acquire backup Joonas Korpisalo to complement Igor Shesterkin.

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Rangers Acquire Korpisalo

The New York Rangers acquired veteran goaltender Joonas Korpisalo from the Boston Bruins on Wednesday.
The Rangers traded winger Kalle Vaisanen and a 2028 fourth-round draft pick to Boston.
Ottawa retained $1 million of Korpisalo’s $4 million cap hit, leaving the Rangers to pay $3 million.
Korpisalo will compete with 24-year-old Dylan Garand for the backup role behind Vezina winner Igor Shesterkin, giving the Rangers $12.675 million in cap space as payroll exceeds $15 million.

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