The Olympic break has stripped the Boston Bruins' crease down to the studs. With Jeremy Swayman chasing gold for Team USA and Joonas Korpisalo suiting up for Finland, the net in Boston was literally empty.

Resulting in the Boston Bruins organization recalling 26-year-old goaltender Michael DiPietro.

Bruins recall Michael DiPietro on an emergency basis. With Swayman and Korpisalo both at the Olympics, he is on the ice here at Warrior for practice.

The Bruins announced the emergency recall this morning, and frankly, it’s about time. This isn't just a "warm body" call-up. This is a guy who has turned the AHL into his personal playground.

Just based off his numbers with 28 games with Providence this season, DiPietro is rocking a 1.64 GAA and a .942 save percentage. Those aren't just good; they are absurd. He has 21 wins in 28 starts. He isn't just stopping pucks; he is building a brick wall and charging admission.

He has been the best goalie in the minors for two years running, yet he’s been stuck behind the Swayman-Korpisalo logjam.

Boston Bruins to be forced into a difficult decision once starting goaltenders return

This recall is technically a placeholder move while the stars are in Milan. But let’s be real, this is the start of a turf war.

DiPietro is making league minimum ($812k) and playing like a Vezina contender in the 'A'. Korpisalo is solid but expensive. The Bruins are staring at a salary cap crunch, and they can't keep hiding DiPietro. He requires waivers next season.

General Manager Don Sweeney knows this. Bringing him up now, even for practice, gets him around the NHL staff. It puts the pressure on.

Swayman is the franchise, no doubt. But the battle for the backup job just officially started. DiPietro has done everything asked of him in Providence. Now he needs to show he belongs in the big league locker room.

Is he the future No. 2, or just a trade chip waiting to be cashed?