Pro Hockey Rumors

The Boston Bruins have signed star goaltender Jeremy Swayman to an eight-year, $66MM contract extension, finally ending the stalemate between the Bruins and the league’s final unsigned restricted free agent. The signing was first reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and seconded by Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic. LeBrun adds that the deal contains over $20MM in signing bonuses – likely one of the pieces that held up negotiations. Friedman confirmed that number as $23MM and adds that Swayman’s deal contains a no-trade clause.

Talks between the two sides became a bit theatrical at their peak, with Swayman vocal about wanting to sign a perceived fair deal while the Bruins’ brass lambasted his decision to holdout. Swayman missed the entirety of Boston’s training camp, ironically signing his long-term deal just hours after their final preseason game.

That delay could create a bit of a challenge, as Swayman is undoubtedly set to be Boston’s workhorse this season. The Bruins traded away former Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark this season, finally clearing the congestion after three years of platooning the two goalies. Ullmark was sent to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for goaltender Joonas Korpisalo, forward prospect Mark Kastelic, and a 2024 first-round pick used to select centerman Dean Letourneau.

Ullmark’s trade freed up well over 40 starts, which should now trickle largely down to Swayman. The latter earned the lion’s share of appearances for the first time in his career last season, posting 25 wins and a .916 save percentages in 44 games – narrowly beating out Ullmark’s 22 wins and .915 in 40 games. It was Swayman’s third-straight season posting a save percentage north of .910, including the career-high .920 he set in 37 games of the 2022-23 season. That hot performance coupled with a Vezina-winning season from Ullmark (.938 in 49 games) to ultimately earn the Bruins pairing the William M Jennings Trophy for highest save percentage as a starting tandem.

Swayman, 25, is still young into his career. But he’s shown acumen on par with the best in the league. Through 132 career games across four seasons, Swayman has managed a dazzling 79 wins and .919 save percentage. He ranks fourth among all NHL goalies in save percentage since making his debut in 2020 – a list that is, coincidentally, led by Ullmark. That may suggest that Swayman’s setting behind a stout Bruins lineup is certainly ideal, though his success between the pipes extends far beyond Massachusetts. Swayman joined the Bruins immediately following the conclusion of his junior year at the University of Maine, where he made a strong case as the best goalie across a league that also featured Jake Oettinger and Spencer Knight. Swayman rivaled a save percentage of .920 in all three years, maxing out with 18 wins and an incredible .939 save percentage in 34 games in his final year.

The trio of strong years at the University of Maine vindicated Boston’s 2017 fourth-round selection of Swayman in a big way. He was drafted after – go figure – a strong year in the USHL, though his .914 save percentage would be overshadowed by a losing 7-18-3 record. It was a rare down year for the Sioux City Musketeers, coming off a year as the Clark Cup runner-ups. But Swayman persevered, ultimately landing at pick 111 in the draft – just one pick after the Toronto Maple Leafs selected goaltender Ian Scott.

Now, seven years later, Swayman is the unrivaled starter in Boston. He’ll prepare for north of 60 games this season – assuming his delayed start to the year doesn’t hold him up – while Boston turns their attention towards the much tougher question of who should back him up. Korpisalo is certainly the de facto choice, largely thanks to the $3MM cap hit he carries through the next four seasons. Korpisalo only received two preseason appearances, allowing three goals on 47 shots – good for a .936 save percentage. That’s certainly stout, but he’ll face plenty of pressure from reigning AHL starter Brandon Bussi, who saved 81 of the 90 (.900) shots he faced through four preseason appearances. Bussi posted a .913 in 41 AHL games last year – his first time dipping below .920 since turning pro in 2021. At the very least, his continued performances in preseason will earn him the edge over Michael DiPietro for the starting role in Providence.

Boston’s goaltending strength once again runs through the depths of the roster, with their franchise goaltender now locked up for the foreseeable future. The Bruins will carry a projected $386.67K of cap space into the new season – likely enough to require one more money-clearing move. They’ll look to rejoin the race for best in the East. Next summer will prove much less stressful, with team captain Brad Marchand the only high-money name in need of a new deal.