Alert Signing of a goaltender by the Bruins organization: it's getting real for Simon Zajicek

The Boston Bruins extended goaltender Simon Zajicek this morning on a one-year, two-way contract through the 2026-27 season.

Per reporter Belle Fraser, the deal carries an NHL cap hit of $850,000.

"The Bruins have signed goaltender Simon Zajicek to a one-year, two-way contract extension through the 2026-27 season with an NHL cap hit of $850,000."

- Belle Fraser

It's a quiet signing on the surface. But quiet signings in net are rarely meaningless, and this one tells you something real about where Don Sweeney sees the crease depth heading into next season.

Jeremy Swayman is the starter. That's settled. He posted a .907 save percentage across 55 regular-season appearances and carries an $8,250,000 cap hit.

Behind him sits Joonas Korpisalo at $4,000,000, with a .894 SV% in 31 starts. That's over $12 million already committed in net before you sign a single skater.

So Zajicek slots in as the organization's third goalie, a two-way deal meaning he'll spend most of his time in the AHL unless something breaks above him. Think of it like a spare tire in the trunk. You hope you never need it. You absolutely can't afford to drive without one.

Bruins crease depth gets tested after first-round exit to Buffalo

Boston went 2-4 against Buffalo in the first round this spring, losing four of six games including back-to-back home losses by a combined score of 1-10 in Games 4 and 6.

That kind of playoff exit puts pressure on every part of the roster. Goaltending included.

Michael DiPietro was already in the system on a $812,500 deal but appeared in just one game all season. Adding Zajicek at $850,000 gives Sweeney a second affordable option underneath Swayman and Korpisalo.

The Bruins finished 45-27-10 with 100 points, ranking eighth overall. They have the talent to push deeper in 2026-27. Whether the crease holds under a full playoff run is a different conversation.

Zajicek's stats could not be independently verified through the available league databases, which suggests he's coming off a developmental season. The source for this signing is Belle Fraser's report posted this morning.

For Sweeney, this is organizational housekeeping. Lock up your depth before the offseason window closes, keep the crease covered at every level, and let Marco Sturm worry about the lineup above it.

Whether Zajicek ever sees TD Garden ice is almost beside the point. The Bruins know better than anyone what happens when your third goalie option is a phone call and a prayer.