Bruins make the first step toward making a Linus Ullmark trade

This just in, the Boston Bruins have signed 24 year old goaltender Brandon Bussi to a one year, two way contract worth $775,000.

The Sound Beach, New York native was very strong in his first full season of professional hockey in 2022-23. He put up a 2.40 goals against average and a .924 save percentage in 32 games with the AHL's Providence Bruins. The Western Michigan graduate looks poised to take the next step and has plenty of supporters out there who feel he's ready for the NHL.

To be clear, the two way nature of the deal has nothing to do with the NHL's waiver rules, rather it just means that Bussi will be paid his full $775,000 salary at the NHL level and approximately one-third of that salary at the AHL level. Bussi is still exempt from waivers this upcoming season, unless he somehow manages to play 60 games in the NHL. If that's the case, then he's not likely to get sent back down the AHL anyways.

The issue for the Bruins, of course, is that they already have a crowded crease at the NHL level with veteran Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman. Don't be surprised if Swayman and Bussi battle it out in training camp for the #2 spot behind Ullmark. For what it's worth, Swayman IS eligible for waivers, so he likely has the inside track if all things are equal. In any case, the Bruins' crease will be an interesting one to watch in the lead up to the 2023-24 season.

The Bruins have just $5 million in cap space to add 8 roster players, and there's a very vocal fanbase out there pushing for Ullmark to be traded in order to free up an extra $6 million.

I mean... I get it... sorta.

But... Ullmark is gonna win the damn Vezina Trophy. How are you going to just turn around and trade him? And if they do, how much confidence do you have in Swayman and Bussi to get the job done? Seems like an awfully risky move to me, but with Swayman and Bussi now officially under contract for next season, the Ullmark trade option is wide open for GM Don Sweeney.

More from the Bruins' official press release announcement:

BOSTON - Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney announced today, June 19, that the team has signed goaltender Brandon Bussi to a one-year, two-way contract extension through the 2023-24 season with an NHL cap hit of $775,000.

Bussi, 24, appeared in 32 games for the Providence Bruins this season, recording a 22-5-4-1 record with a .924 save percentage and 2.40 goals against average. The 6-foot-5, 209-pound goaltender was selected to play in the 2023 AHL All-Star Classic.

The Sound Beach, New York native was originally signed to an entry-level contract by the Bruins in 2022.

- Boston Bruins