Elliotte Friedman Drops A Bomb Regarding Bruins Jeremy Swayman
Jeremy Swayman, 24, is on the brink of potential restricted free agency once again come July 1, having secured a one-year, $3.4 million contract through arbitration in August.
Within the Boston Bruins' current roster, he joins two other players with the possibility of becoming restricted free agents, while seven others face unrestricted free agency. General Manager Don Sweeney is poised with financial flexibility, thanks to an anticipated salary cap increase of at least $2 million.
The looming question is whether Sweeney will commit to a long-term deal for Swayman, especially with goalie Linus Ullmark approaching the final season of his four-year, $20 million contract.
Despite the calendar only reaching mid-November, Swayman and Vancouver Canucks' goaltender Thatcher Demko emerge as strong contenders for the Vezina Trophy.
Swayman, undefeated in regulation with a record of 6-0-1, leads goaltenders with five or more starts in both goals-against average (1.69) and save percentage (.944). Meanwhile, Demko, a cornerstone for the surprising Canucks, boasts a 7-3-0 record, 1.96 GAA, and .935 save percentage.
On 'The Jeff Marek Show,' Sportsnet NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman weighed in on the Montreal Canadiens' efforts to extend goalie Samuel Montembeault, an impending unrestricted free agent on July 1.
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During the discussion, Friedman suggested that Boston might also seek to secure Swayman, given his exceptional performance this season and the opportunity to extend his contract on January 1.
Reflecting on his arbitration experience last August and subsequent statements, Swayman has consistently expressed his desire to remain with the Boston Bruins beyond this season.
Despite acknowledging the challenging nature of the process, he emphasized gratitude and a positive mindset, underscoring his commitment to being a Boston Bruin and his reluctance to go through a similar ordeal in the future.
«It wasn't a process I wanted to go through,» Swayman stated after receiving his arbitration reward. «But I understand that it's business, and in the end, I'm grateful I went through it because I have so many things to be grateful for.
I think the biggest thing is living day by day, understanding that what you hear might not be the truth at all times, and again, it's a business. I wanted to make sure that whatever was thrown my way, I was gonna be able to attack with a good mindset and make sure that at the end of the day, I was doing everything I could to be a Boston Bruin.
Now I'm here today, and I am a Boston Bruin — I couldn't be happier. There's no ill will on the process because I understand that. I'm not the first player to go through it. I'm not the last.
But I definitely don't wish it upon any of my friends and teammates moving forward, and I don't want to do it ever again as well. So grateful I went through it. Glad I got it done. I'm a Boston Bruin at the end of the day.»
