The Bruins might potentially have their franchise netminder of the future in Jeremy Swayman, but the club is still bolstering their pipeline of goalies in the system with another key collegiate free-agent add.
The team announced in a release on Wednesday afternoon that it has signed Western Michigan University goaltender Brandon Bussi to a one-year, entry-level contract for the 2022-23 season with an NHL cap hit of $825,000.
Bussi will report to the Providence Bruins for the remainder of this season on an Amateur Tryout Agreement (ATO).
Bussi, 23, has played the last three seasons with the Broncos out in Kalamazoo, Michigan – helping Western Michigan win its first NCAA Tournament game last week with an OT victory over Northeastern. Bussi made 30 saves en route to the 2-1 win at Worcester’s DCU Center.
The Sound Beach, New York, native appeared in 77 career NCAA games with the Broncos, posting a 46-25-5 record with a 2.61 goals-against average and .910 save percentage.
Even though Bussi’s baseline stats may not exactly leap off the page when compared to a few other standout collegiate netminders over the years, his physical tools (6-foot-5) and athleticism made him a coveted target once the Broncos’ season ended — with Bruins goalie development coach Mike Dunham likely relishing the opportunity to fine-tool a player like Bussi in the B’s system.
Even though the B’s goalie corps is potentially set for the foreseeable future with the tandem of Swayman and Linus Ullmark, a netminder like Bussi could be the next in line down in the system, especially with Kyle Keyser going through some ups-and-downs this season in the AHL ranks (.905 save percentage in 28 games).
Bussi might be a bit of a project, but the Bruins can afford to add a player with that profile to the organization, especially when they’ve got a duo entrenched up in the NHL already in Swayman/Ullmark.
Changes coming on blue line
After Boston’s defensive breakdown against the Maple Leafs on Tuesday night, the writing was on the wall that changes were coming to the B’s blue line ahead of Thursday’s home contest against the Devils.
Bruce Cassidy acknowledged following Wednesday’s practice at Warrior Ice Arena that the Bruins will indeed juggle their D corps, although did not tip his hand when it comes to which personnel will slot in.
"We'll make some changes,” Cassidy noted. “Let's get here in the morning, see if there's any surprises. I think these three games we were running with the lineup that I thought was playing really well. I looked at Tampa, the Islanders, and Toronto, three pretty good - I don't want to call the measuring stick games - but sort of see where you're at, what's going well.
“Obviously, the first two went better than (Toronto), and now it's 16 games I believe in 30 days. We have 25 healthy bodies, so how do we best prepare to still accumulate points but get to keep the other guys sharp and ready because we've got to get in the playoffs? Once you're in, there's a bit of a war of attrition at times if you expect to achieve what you want to keep advancing. "There's a little bit of that we have to factor in now with our lineup. And so, we are talking about that…I think the way it is, we have to be wise on how we manage a few people along the way."
Obviously, slotting Connor Clifton out seems like a given, but could the B’s roll out a completely overhauled third pair of Mike Reilly and Josh Brown? Even before Tuesday’s debacle, Cassidy hinted that a two-man switcheroo was possible, just to allocate reps to a pair of skaters that haven’t seen action in over a week.
"This is more about…some guys may get in if they haven't played in two months, you know what I mean?" Cassidy noted. "I don't think that's conducive to success for those individuals. So, let's try at least work them in along the way without disrupting our flow. Big picture is kind of what we want, we've seen over the last few years here with COVID how guys go in and out of your lineup very quickly.
"So, you've got to be able to adapt to that. Not that that's going to be an issue going forward…but if there's a sudden injury. So, I don't think it's a bad thing to work other guys in and keep them motivated."