Rangers Acquire Veteran Goaltender Joonas Korpisalo in Salary-Driven Trade with Bruins

On July 1, 2026 the New York Rangers obtained goaltender Joonas Korpisalo from the Boston Bruins in exchange for forward prospect Kalle Vaisanen and a 2028 fourth-round draft pick. The deal cleared $3 million of Korpisalo’s cap hit from Boston for the next two seasons; Ottawa retained $1 million, leaving the Rangers responsible for $3 million of a $4 million annual contract. PuckPedia projects the Rangers now have $12.675 million in cap space.

ESPNAM New YorkRangers acquire Joonas Korpisalo from Bruins for pick, prospectNewsdayBoston.comNew York Post

The Rangers needed a seasoned backup after Jonathan Quick retired, pairing Korpisalo with Vezina-winner Igor Shesterkin. Boston, carrying over $11 million in goaltending commitments, used the trade to free roughly $10.7 million in cap space and promote AHL MVP Michael DiPietro, a $812,500-cap-hit prospect, as Jeremy Swayman’s new backup.

Boston.com

Joonas Korpisalo – 32-year-old Finnish netminder, 334 NHL games, career .900 save percentage, 3.06 GAA. In 2025-26 he posted a 14-9-6 record, 3.15 GAA and .894 SV% for Boston.

Rangers Acquire Joonas Korpisalo in Exchange for 2028 Fourth-Round Draft Pick and Kalle Vaisanen

Kalle Vaisanen – 23-year-old Finnish forward, 2021 fourth-round pick of New York. In 2025-26 he logged 51 AHL games with four points and previously recorded 33 points in 185 Liiga contests.

Bruins Acquire Kalle Vaisanen and 2028 Fourth-Round Pick from New York Rangers

Chris Drury – Rangers president and GM, announced the acquisition.

ESPN

Don Sweeney – Bruins GM, oversaw the cap-clearance move.

Boston.com

Korpisalo’s recent NHL numbers: 14-9-6 record, 3.15 GAA, .894 SV% (31 games, 28 starts). Career highlights include an 85-save playoff record in 2020 and a bronze medal with Team Finland at the 2026 Olympics. Vaisanen’s 2025-26 output: three goals, one assist in the AHL; Liiga totals of 19 goals, 14 assists in 185 games.

Bruins Acquire Kalle Vaisanen and 2028 Fourth-Round Pick from New York RangersRangers Acquire Joonas Korpisalo in Exchange for 2028 Fourth-Round Draft Pick and Kalle VaisanenBruins Trade Joonas Korpisalo to RangersBruins trade G Korpisalo to RangersRangers acquire Joonas Korpisalo from Bruins for pick, prospectSports Illustrated

Rangers GM Chris Drury said the club “secured a backup with NHL experience for star and 2022 Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin.” Bruins officials emphasized the primary goal of “clearing off salary,” noting the $3 million cap relief and the chance to elevate Michael DiPietro.

ESPN

Analysts note Korpisalo’s three-year stretch with a save percentage under .900, questioning his reliability as a backup. Vaisanen’s modest AHL production and a minus-12 rating in his latest season fuel doubts about his NHL upside. The Rangers also must consider the waiver status of 24-year-old Dylan Garand, who would need to clear waivers if Korpisalo wins the No. 2 job.

New York Post

Sources differ on Korpisalo’s cap hit: NYPost and Newsday list $4 million, while Boston.com reports a $3 million reduction after Ottawa’s $1 million retention. Reported post-trade cap space varies between $12.675 million (ESPN) for New York and $10.7–$10.715 million for Boston. Vaisanen’s point totals are cited as four (AHL) versus seven (combined Liiga and AHL), indicating a need for clarification.

Boston.com

The Rangers will pit Korpisalo against Garand in training camp to decide the backup role before the season opens. Boston is expected to install Michael DiPietro as Swayman’s backup, using the newly available cap space for further roster moves. Both clubs will reassess their goaltending depth as the 2026-27 season approaches.

Newsday