Trade Pitch Has Red Wings Acquiring $20 Million Goalie in Netminder Swap
The Detroit Red Wings have rotated through several goalies in recent years, and a new trade pitch suggests they could add another to the mix.
Using PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool, one user proposed a trade that would send Joonas Korpisalo from the Boston Bruins to the Red Wings.
Red Wings receive:
- Joonas Korpisalo
- 2026 sixth-round pick
Bruins receive:
- Cam Talbot
This trade proposal offers benefits for both teams. Boston would land a more experienced backup for Jeremy Swayman, while Korpisalo would get a fresh opportunity to reclaim a starting role in the NHL.
Detroit would gain Korpisalo, who has three years remaining on a five-year, $20 million contract. Because Ottawa retained $1 million annually during his move to Boston, Detroit would only owe him $3 million per year. Korpisalo could compete for the starting position while providing veteran guidance for Sebastian Cossa, Detroit’s hopeful future starter. Last season, Korpisalo posted an 11-10-3 record with a 2.90 GAA and a .893 save percentage. The Red Wings would also receive a late-round pick.
Meanwhile, the Bruins would acquire Talbot, a 37-year-old veteran on the final year of his two-year, $5 million contract. As a proven backup, Talbot fits Boston’s need behind Swayman. He went 21-19-5 with a 2.93 GAA and a .901 SV% last season and is a two-time NHL All-Star.
Red Wings ‘Need Better Goaltending’ Next Season
After missing the playoffs for a ninth straight year, the Red Wings identified goaltending as a major concern.
Detroit relied on Talbot and Petr Mrazek last season, and although both remain under contract, head coach Todd McLellan emphasized the need for improvement. The team also parted ways with goalie coach Alex Westlund.
“These may not seem like big changes, but they are,” McLellan said at the season-ending press conference. “These are important positions in our organization, and we made tough decisions. It’s not necessarily about the job done by Alex Westlund but more about shaking things up. We need better goaltending, and that responsibility falls on everyone — the goalies, the coaching staff, and myself.”
The Red Wings are optimistic about Cossa, one of the NHL’s top goaltending prospects, but McLellan expects more immediate improvement in net to boost the team’s competitiveness.
Korpisalo Wants to Play More
Korpisalo, who joined Boston from Ottawa last offseason, primarily backed up Swayman this year.
After years as a starting goalie, Korpisalo expressed frustration over limited playing time following the Bruins’ playoff miss.
“I don’t think any goalie is happy playing just 20 to 25 games,” Korpisalo said on April 17. “I want to play more, and I’ll push for that next season. I’ve tried to stay open and give it everything I have to earn more games.”
He acknowledged that playing time isn’t entirely in his control but reiterated his desire for a bigger role. With that mindset, Korpisalo could be on the move again this offseason in search of more starts.
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