The Boston Bruins made a quiet but telling move on May 19, signing 23-year-old Czech goaltender Simon Zajicek to a one-year, entry-level contract worth $872,500.
While the signing didn’t grab headlines, it triggered immediate speculation across league circles—and it should have.
Zajicek wasn’t drafted, but the Bruins clearly see enough potential to make room for him. With Jeremy Swayman cemented in the crease and Linus Ullmark still under contract (for now), this addition raises the question: who’s on their way out?
Bussi and DiPietro likely the odd men out
The Bruins’ goalie pipeline is stacked, and now there’s one more mouth to feed.
That leaves Michael DiPietro and Brandon Bussi in a tight spot, and their time in the organization might be up.
Both DiPietro and Bussi are free agents, and the guess here is neither is happy with his lack of NHL opportunity post-Ullmark and will henceforth seek other pathways.
That sentiment rings true. Both goaltenders have put in the work with the Providence Bruins but haven’t received the NHL looks they were hoping for.
With Zajicek now in the mix, the depth chart gets even more crowded—and patience only lasts so long.
Too many goalies, not enough games
Boston has long been praised for its goalie development, but even the best pipelines get clogged. Behind Swayman and Ullmark are at least four goalies capable of competing for time in the AHL—Zajicek included.
That means someone’s getting pushed out.
From a developmental standpoint, it doesn’t make sense to carry more than two or three goalies in Providence. If DiPietro and Bussi see clearer paths elsewhere, it’s hard to blame them for walking away.
DiPietro and Bussi have become well-known to Bruins fans who follow the AHL ranks, but their NHL futures with the team have always been unclear. At this point, clarity may come in the form of a goodbye.
Boston isn’t short on talent in net—it’s short on opportunity. And that’s exactly why moves like Zajicek’s signing spark chain reactions.
If one thing’s clear, it’s that this isn’t the last move Boston makes between the pipes. Whether it’s a trade involving Ullmark or free-agent exits for Bussi and DiPietro, change is coming—and it’s coming soon.
Fans should keep an eye on the next few weeks. The Bruins are shifting direction in goal, and the pieces are already starting to fall into place.
