Swayman returns to his rightful spot in Boston
Jeremy Swayman has been recalled from Providence for the Boston Bruins. He is coming back to Beantown with Oskar Steen for another stint in the show.
With a reasonable record of 8-6-2, and a half decent save percentage at .916%, Swayman is a serviceable asset to the Bruins. The 111th overall pick from the 2017 draft has become something of a fan favourite at TD Gardens.
Coming out of the All-Star break, the man who's spot he is going to take is nursing another injury and is week-to-week. Tuukka Rask made his triumphant return early this month to somewhat of a Bronx-cheer. At 2-2-0, Tuukka's save percentage has been a dismal .844%. If you've been unlucky enough to watch his performance, something is out of sorts with the man lauded in Boston for years. He's just not his normal self. Either there is some rust the aging 34 year old needs to shake off to return to form, or his latest injury and recovery stint that took more than half a year, has truly signaled the end of his playing time.
It's difficult to tell just where Rask will end up, with a 1 year - $1 million contract for the year, its hard to envision this current performance pushing Swayman back down to the minors. But for all intents and purposes, its Rask's to lose.
Let's admit it, Ullmark might not be a bad goalie, but he has not lived up to his $5 million AAV price he was paid in the offseason. For better or for worse, with his 4-year contract and the ugly no movement clause, which adjusts into a modified no trade clause beginning in 2023-2024, Ullmark is likely stationary in the crease.
This leaves Swayman, who with 27 NHL games under his belt, truly has yet to define himself. With Tuukka looking uneasy, ineffective, and injured, it might just be time to put our faith in the 23 year old Jeremy Swayman. It's hard to give up and look forward after all the hard work and effort Tuukka gave us over the years.
With the core starting to age out and Ullmark's contract starting to hit the wallet, Swayman's next adventure in the blue paint might be the chance he needs to lead the B's forward.
Source: NHL.com, CapFriendly.com
