The Boston Bruins, following a disappointing season in which they failed to reach the playoffs, are expected to evaluate major roster moves this offseason. One trade proposal circulating online through PuckPedia’s PuckGM simulator suggests a scenario that could benefit both Boston and the Utah Hockey Club. The mock deal has the Bruins sending a beloved veteran, along with two draft picks, to Utah in exchange for young forward Matias Maccelli.
Proposed Trade:
- Boston Bruins receive: Matias Maccelli
- Utah Hockey Club receives: Joonas Korpisalo, 2026 fourth-round pick, 2027 sixth-round pick
This hypothetical trade offers mutual value. Boston would add a promising, young middle-six forward in Maccelli, a 23-year-old with offensive upside, while Utah would bolster their goaltending depth by acquiring Korpisalo to pair with Karel Vejmelka, along with two mid-to-late round draft selections to assist in their rebuild.
Maccelli is under contract for one more year on a three-year, $10.28 million deal, making him an affordable and low-risk addition for Boston. After a breakout 2022-23 season where he notched 17 goals and 40 assists (57 points in 82 games), Maccelli struggled in 2024-25, registering just 8 goals and 10 assists in 55 appearances. The dip in production may be attributed to a poor team environment, and a change of scenery could help him rediscover his offensive rhythm. In Boston, he would likely slot into the second or third line, injecting much-needed youth, speed, and playmaking into a forward group that has lacked consistency.
Meanwhile, Korpisalo would be moving on from a frustrating tenure in Boston. After being acquired from the Ottawa Senators in last summer’s Linus Ullmark trade, he appeared in only 27 games, posting an 11-10-3 record with a 2.90 goals-against average and a .893 save percentage. He was expected to serve as a reliable backup to Jeremy Swayman, but limited playing time and inconsistent usage led to growing dissatisfaction.
According to a report by NHL insider James Murphy of RG Media, Korpisalo is actively exploring trade options due to frustration over his limited role. A league executive told Murphy, “He’s not happy and thinks he earned more playing time. He’s more than open to exploring trade options.” Another insider revealed that his name surfaced during trade deadline discussions, although the Bruins ultimately opted to retain him at that time.
Following the season’s conclusion, Korpisalo publicly expressed his discontent:
“I don’t think there’s any goalie in the league who’s really comfortable playing 20 to 25 games,” Korpisalo said in an April 17 media availability. “I’m going to push for more games, and we’ll see what happens. I was pretty open when I got into the season. And always, you just try to put everything you have out there, make your mark to gain some playing time.”
A former NHL All-Star, Korpisalo believes he still has what it takes to be a starting goaltender in the league. Given that he still has three years remaining on a five-year, $20 million contract, moving him would relieve Boston of a sizable cap hit while giving the player a fresh opportunity to compete for a No. 1 role elsewhere.
From Boston’s perspective, acquiring Maccelli would support a youth-driven retool and provide much-needed secondary scoring, while Utah gains goaltending experience and assets for the future. If the Bruins are indeed open to shaking up their roster, this kind of deal—whether precisely this or a variation—could become a realistic option as the offseason heats up.
Leave a Reply