Mailbag: Which Bruin needs to improve in the 2nd half? Does Fabian Lysell have a future in Boston?

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Thanks for the question, James.

Joonas Korpisalo has appeared in 16 games so far this season.

Among 49 other goaltenders who have played in at least that amount of games, Korpisalo ranks 43rd in GAA (3.42), and 36th in SV% (.888).

Clearly, his numbers aren't great.

Because of that, the Bruins have been using him sparingly.

Thursday night against Calgary was only his 15th start in 44 games, and just his 4th since December 11th.

Ironically, Korpisalo was pretty rock solid against the Flames - especially in the middle of the 2nd period where he had some key stops on Matt Coronato and Joel Farabee that helped maintain Boston's 2-0 lead that they would extend shortly thereafter.

But regarding your suggestion, it's not that Boston can't do better at the backup position, it's just tough to see Boston waiving him right now.

He's played in over 300 NHL games and it just feels like right now - right or wrong - Boston values his experience over Michael DiPietro's potential.

It's possible the Bruins waive Korpisalo if he can't build off of a strong performance against the Flames and continues to struggle overall - but if given the option, Boston would probably rather hold onto him for now and see if his play can improve for both the sake of the team, and his trade value.

If his numbers improve, perhaps the Bruins look to get something for him by moving him at the deadline or over the offseason.

As far as Fabian Lysell goes - he's operating at a point per game pace in Providence right now with 11 goals, 15 assists, 26 points, in 26 games played - but Boston probably won't call him up this season unless they're out of playoff contention down the stretch.

Elias Lindholm, Viktor Arvidsson, and Casey Mittelstadt have all missed significant chunks of time this year and not once did players like Lysell, or Matt Poitras get called up.

Instead it was Alex Steeves - and for a few games, Riley Tufte.

Steeves was clearly the correct player to call up having 13 points in 27 games all while providing high energy and mature details.

Long term for Lysell?

I don't know, he was drafted 5 years ago this June and it's just hard to see the fit.

Just seems like the team has never loved Lysell's details or consistency, and it doesn't appear like that opinion is on the verge of changing despite his offensive output.

Additionally, Boston's forward prospect pipeline is only getting younger and more talented by the year with players like James Hagens, Will Zellers, Dean Letourneau, Will Moore, Cooper Simpson, etc.

Boston also has 5 first round picks, and 3 second round picks over the next three drafts and Lysell will likely continue to be passed by in the organizational prospect rankings.

Unless Lysell gets called up down the stretch and lights in up while showing maturity to his overall game and effort - he just isn't someone that's anticipated as being a fit in Boston.

Appreciate the question, Jeff.

1). Regarding Korpisalo, my guess is that as long as Boston is in the playoff hunt, he will not be waived before the deadline.

That said, if the Bruins aren't in the playoff hunt then it wouldn't surprise me at all if he's waived or traded.

2.) I didn't think I'd being saying this a year ago, but right now it's hard not to be excited about Dean Letourneau (2024, 1st) and what he's been doing at Boston College so far in his sophomore season.

The 6'7", 19-year old forward has 11 goals, 8 assists, and 19 points in 18 games for the Eagles.

Credit where it's due, he's turning heads after a heavily criticized freshman year - one in which he was originally meant to spend in the USHL prior to Will Smith turning pro with the San Jose Sharks.

Honorable mentions are forward Cooper Simpson (2025, 3rd) and defensemen Vashek Blanar (2025, 4th).

Simpson is committed to North Dakota and has 17 goals, 26 assists, and 43 points in 32 games for the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL.

Blanar is a 6'5", left shot, offensive defensemen who in time may end up being a better and more complete version of Mason Lohrei.

Blanar is a UMass Amherst commit.

What's going on Brick!?

For those reading, Brian here is a marketing genius.

He came up with the idea that TD Garden should sell Marat Khusnutdinov Khuzy's for drinks at the arena - money, right? I know you all would want one, just saying ...

Anyways, yes, I completely agree regarding the linesman constantly kicking centerman out of the face off dot due to false starts.

It absolutely slows the game down and it honestly feels like the reason centerman are false starting is because the linesman pump fake dropping the puck - almost like they're trying to get someone to jump.

Just drop the puck.

Maybe if enough GMs bring it up to the league as a complaint, officiating supervisors will hold a nice zoom call with all of their linesman to enforce them to speed things up - but that probably won't happen.

And thank you for your support of The PuckUps Podcast - which for those of you who do not know, is launching January 12th with episodes releasing every Monday and Friday across YouTube, Apple, and Spotify!

How we doing, Marchy!

Frederic Brunet is someone I've wanted to see called up all season whenever Boston's been in need.

His time will come - but with Hampus Lindholm back skating on his own, it's not right now.

They'll keep rolling with Charlie McAvoy, Jonathan Aspirot (what a good story, eh?), Nikita Zadorov, Andrew Peeke, Mason Lohrei and Henri Jokiharju until Lindholm gets back.

Great question, Ed!

Calling back to earlier questions, Joonas Korpisalo is someone who needs to be better and his most recent start is a step in the right direction.

Jeremy Swayman hasn't yet proved he's ready to thrive as a workhorse No. 1 goalie and Korpisalo struggling gives the Bruins no choice but to overplay him as a result.

Simply put, if Boston wants to make the playoffs, they need their starting goaltender to stay sharp, and their backup to have with far better stats than a .888 SV% and a 3.42 GAA.

Elsewhere, I'd like to see more at 5-on-5 from Pavel Zacha, and Elias Lindholm.

Both players have 28 points on the season - good for 3rd and 4th on the team in overall scoring - but each of them only have 10 points at 5-on-5.

That ranks them 13th, and 14th on the team in 5-on-5 scoring.

Not nearly good enough from Boston's No. 1 and No. 2 centers.

Now in saying that, they each have tallied two 5-on-5 points in the last two games - so hopefully that's a sign of more to come.

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That'll do it for this week, thanks for participating and reading along!