Šimon Zajíček

October 2026 – The long awaited graduation of Michael DiPietro to the NHL has increased the role Zajicek can play in the AHL. To start the 2026-2027 season, Zajicek is platooning with veteran Jiri Patera and (small sample size alert) thus far is faring more favourably, with a 2.73 GAA and .901. The Baby Bruins out of Providence are currently mired in a 1-5 start to the season, so neither goaltender has found safe harbour in the early stages of the year.

Last season, Zajicek and DiPietro were both battling to be Jeremy Swayman’s backup, and the longer tenured DiPietro won the audition, though Zajicek performed admirably. The crease in the AHL will be his, with Patera there to push him, as he grows and gains confidence to be ‘the guy’ in the minors. If DiPietro falters throughout this year or an injury befalls he or Swayman, Patera is likely to be the call-up given his NHL experience if the opportunity is short lived.

Zajicek remains a long-term option with no apparent role awaiting him in the NHL, and a trade of either he or DiPietro will be needed to unlock fantasy relevance. The Bruins have no need to make that move, so he remains a watchlist option so you can be ahead of your competition if any moves are made. Alex Wyatt

December 2025 – One of the Bruins’ most unexpected offseason signings has quietly turned into one of their best. Šimon Zajíček began making a name for himself at the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, impressing fans with a strong showing and even a few highlight-reel saves. He carried that momentum into the preseason before being assigned to Providence, where he has been nothing short of outstanding. So far, he has put up an 8-1-0 record with a 2.09 GAA and a .926 save percentage, cementing himself as one of the AHL’s top five goaltenders.

Even with his hot start, Zajíček sits fourth on the Bruins’ organizational depth chart behind Jeremy Swayman, Joonas Korpisalo, and Michael DiPietro. Still, there is a growing belief that other teams may start calling about Boston’s crowded crease.

Zajíček’s biggest strength is his ability to track pucks through traffic. He plays a calm, composed style built around sound positioning rather than explosiveness, though he moves laterally better than you might expect. His rebound control has been a standout trait as well; he consistently steers pucks into safe areas and swallows anything that is not perfectly placed. For a goalie in his first North American season, the adjustment has been surprisingly smooth; it took him all of ten minutes to get comfortable on the smaller ice, which is rare for European netminders.

For now, Zajíček is buried on the depth chart with no clear path to NHL games. He is someone to keep tucked away in the back of your mind, potentially worth moving on if his situation opens up, but at the moment, he is firmly a “wait-and-see” fantasy option. Kenny Kaminsky