Multiple sources are reporting on Sunday that the team has signed goaltender Jeremy Swayman on an eight-year, $66 million contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $8.25 million per year against the salary cap. Swayman, 25, was a fourth-round draft by Boston in the 2017 NHL Draft (111th overall). The deal comes after months of speculation and, at times, a contentious negotiation between the two sides. Swayman was a restricted free agent but did not receive an offer sheet from other teams.
The Alaska, Anchorage native started the most games in a season of his NHL career in 2023-24 while sharing time with former teammate and friend Linus Ullmark. Swayman started 43 games and finished with a 25-10-8 record, 2.53 goals against average, and a .916 save percentage. The 6-foot-2, 194-pound goalie holds a 79-33-15 career record with 12 shutouts and won the starting job from Ullmark in the postseason, where Swayman started 12 games with a 6-6 record. However, his numbers were sparkling as the former University of Maine-Orono star registered a 2.15 GAA and .933 save percentage against Toronto and eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida.
Swayman was named to the first team All-Rookie team in 2020-21, won the Jennings Trophy with Ullmark in 2022-23 for the league’s top goalie tandem, and made the All-Star Team this season. The former Black Bear was runner-up for the Hobey Baker Award in 2020 for the NCAA’s top hockey player. Swayman was a restricted free agent when the season ended.
In recent weeks, Swayman expressed his disappointment in the previous arbitration proceedings with the team and wanted to help set the market for future goaltenders. Team President Cam Neely made it clear that the Bruins were offering Swayman “64 million reasons to play” insinuating that the Bruins were willing to offer the goaltender fair market value, which Swayman’s agent Lewis Gross disputed. Within the last 48 hours, reports surfaced that indicated a potential deal was getting closer with opening night of the regular season just two nights away.
The Bruins open the season in Florida against the Panthers on Tuesday, October 8 and newly acquired netminder Joonas Korpisalo will be in goal for Boston as Swayman will need some time to get into game shape.
