Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
The Boston Bruins claimed goaltender Jiri Patera off NHL waivers from the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday while a new group of players were placed on the wire.
Patera, 25, signed a two-year, two-way deal with the Canucks on July 1 to serve as a third-stringer or a potential NHL backup, depending on the status of Thatcher Demko and Arturs Silovs. But the Canucks signed Kevin Lankinen as well, so Patera heads to the Bruins, which have yet to re-sign RFA Jeremy Swayman.
There appears to be no timetable on when Swayman could re-sign with Boston since his agent said they were taking some time to look at next steps after Bruins president Cam Neely said he had “64-million reasons why I’d be playing right now.” As a result, Patera gives Boston another option in the short term with Joonas Korpisalo and Brandon Bussi.
Patera played 25 games with the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights last season, logging an 11-10-4 record, a 2.99 goals-against average and .903 save percentage. He also appeared in six of his eight career NHL games in 2023-24, posting a 3.98 GAA and .893 SP.
Related: NHL Rumor Roundup: Swayman’s Negotiations With Bruins Reaches Its Crossroads Moment
Everyone else placed on waivers on Tuesday cleared, which means it’s time to look at the next batch based on team announcements and per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
- Spencer Martin, Carolina Hurricanes
- Trey Fix-Wolansky, Columbus Blue Jackets
- Jack Ahcan, Matthew Phillips and Calle Rosen, Colorado Avalanche
- Benoit-Oliver Groulx, New York Rangers
- Cal Petersen, Philadelphia Flyers
- Jimmy Huntington, Marc Johnstone and Mac Hollowell, Pittsburgh Penguins
- Andrew Poturalski, Scott Sabourin, San Jose Sharks
Spencer Martin and Cal Petersen stand out from the group. They’re both 29 years old and were selected in the 2013 NHL draft – Martin going to the Avalanche 63rd overall and Petersen heading to the Buffalo Sabres 129th overall.
That said, Petersen has more NHL experience than Martin – with 106 games played compared to 57. Petersen became an intriguing netminder with the Los Angeles Kings, recording a 2.89 goals-against average in 35 games played in 2020-21 and in 37 games in 2021-22. He was L.A.’s starter in the shortened 2021 campaign, playing 13 more games than Jonathan Quick but winning two fewer contests.
Petersen signed a three-year deal worth $5 million annually before the 2022-23 season, and he then started the year with a 3.75 GAA and .868 SP in 10 games. He went off to the AHL’s Ontario Reign for the rest of the season. After the Flyers acquired him, Petersen also spent most of 2023-24 with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Martin, meanwhile, played a career-high 29 games as a backup for the Canucks in 2022-23, posting an 11-15-1 record with a 3.99 GAA and .871 SP. Last season, the Blue Jackets claimed Martin off waivers before the season began, and he played 13 games with them before the Hurricanes claimed him again in January. His cap hit is only $775,000 on a one-year deal.
The NHL’s roster cutdown day is Monday, Oct. 7. Teams that need players to clear waivers before assigning them to the minors must do so on Sunday since the rest of the league can claim those players in a 24-hour period.
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Related: Opinion: So The Bruins And Jeremy Swayman Are Having A Spat Over His Contract. Big Whoop
News Summary:
- NHL Waivers: Bruins Claim A Goalie While Another 12 Players Hit The Wire
- Check all news and articles from the latest NHL updates.