Joonas Korpisalo, 28, career could have taken a different direction last summer. The seventh season in Columbus had come to an end and the contract had also expired, and the displays of the goalkeeper, who suffered from numerous injuries, in the name of honesty, were not terrible.
At the limit of 30 games played, Korpisalo’s save percentage (88.7) was the lowest in the entire NHL for the previous two seasons.
Columbus boss Jarmo Kekäläinen offered a one-year extension of 1.3 million dollars, there was also a good man more. Korpisalo, sympathetic and with a hard work ethic, was an extremely respected and liked person in Columbus, even off the ice.
– It’s nice that they offered, and after that I knew that everything had to be put in place or the NHL thing starts to be a package, Korpisalo told Urheilu.
The goalie from Helsinki had a clear idea of bouncing back from the worst trough of his NHL career, the previous season that ended with hip surgery.
– It goes without saying that the last two seasons did not go well. Last season was rock bottom. It was physically difficult for me and nothing came of the hip thing, even though I fought with it. It affected everything we did. It didn’t turn into hell at all, Korpisalo snorts.
Few Finnish NHL players have been manhandled in the NHL like Korpisalo. A surprising and sensational ascent to the NHL in the 2015-2016 season was followed by a rocky path to say the least, which has contained hard ups and heavy downs.
– I don’t know if there is anything I haven’t experienced during these eight years. Sometimes it has been at the very bottom, then it has gone really well and everything in between. The trip has included several injuries and everything possible. You can learn a lot from them too.
Some kind of maturity from Korpisalo shone already in the autumn season in Columbus. Hardly expected much, but Korpisalo became his team’s best goalkeeper, surpassing the Latvian’s number one goalkeeper Elvis Merzlikins.
– In the summer, work was done to get the hip in shape. In the end, I started the season with a pretty relaxed feeling, just enjoying playing. I was able not to think about anything, and that’s what it’s like at its best. I have experienced so much here that now I can only go one day at a time, Korpisalo assures.
More lift from the city of angels
Columbus had already committed to the Latvian goalkeeper Merzlikins with a long and expensive contract, so Korpisalo was known to be merchandise for the club that lost its playoff dream at the transfer deadline. In the end, the Los Angeles Kings wanted a Finn in their ranks.
Something about the Kings’ trust in Korpisalo was also told by the fact that the club was ready to give up two Stanley Cup trophies to Los Angeles About Jonathan Quick to get the Jokerit breeder.
At the time of the player trade, Korpisalo did not have the opportunity to stay in the mood of the past time in Columbus.
– We had a game in Buffalo, when Jarmo Kekäläinen called that they would take me out of the lineup because something was going on. Finally, the coach told on the plane that the departure was to Los Angeles. We were at home at night and the next afternoon I was on my way to Los, Korpisalo times.
– It wasn’t really enough to stay in the mood. After all, eight years in the same club is a long time, and thus the player trade is a big change for yourself.
In Kaukalo, the change has only been seen in a positive way. Korpisalo immediately won his first match in a Kings jersey and has not conceded more than two goals in six games in Los Angeles. There are four wins and in regular time Korpisalo has lost only once, even then by 1–2.
– It went well, and through the win I certainly got it from the coach as well (Todd McLellan) confidence. Of course, these statistics of mine also tell about how we have played as a team. It hasn’t been necessary to achieve great performances yet, because we defend really well, Korpisalo praises
Throughout the season, Korpisalo can be talked about as one of the goalie sensations of the NHL season. Even a year ago, the direction of the career was down, but now at the limit of 20 games played, he is among the top ten goalkeepers in terms of save percentage.
If we look at goals saved per hour played, Korpisalo’s 0.38 is the eighth highest in the entire series at the limit of 25 games played (moneypuck.com (you go to another service)). Natural Stat Trickin (you switch to another service) according to the Finn, the save percentage of dangerous goal posts (85.8) is the sixth highest in the entire series at the limit of 700 minutes played.
In Korpisalo’s career, we can talk about quite a U-turn.
– That shows that a good job has been done below. A classic own duuni, Korpisalo laughs.
– I’ve gotten the most out of myself this season and I’ve been able to play the way I wanted. I have been able to bring some new stuff and peace to the game. Of course, this is always a process and you can do better.
For spring, number one
Korpisalo’s change of direction is culminating in the playoff spring, in which Los Angeles, one of the top teams in the Western Conference, is starting with excellent setups – and Korpisalo in particular as the number one goalkeeper.
– Because of the playoffs, 82 matches will be played here, and we still have a lot to do here. The division is tight and everything is still open here, as far as the home advantage. These are great games to play when every match is ticking.
– It’s great to enjoy these, Korpisalo tastes.
Korpisalo has earned his pleasure.