The Boston Bruins have been one of the best teams in the NHL for a very long time. Part of their success for that period has been their goaltending. It was Tim Thomas winning Conn Smythe Trophy's before Tuukka Rask took over full-time.
Once Rask retired, however, it was a big question mark for them as they were in desperate need to find ways to move on with success.
Since then, however, Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark have become the best goaltending duo in the NHL. Both of them can individually claim that they are a top-ten goalie in the whole league.
The fun part about this duo is that they love each other so much. It truly feels like a tandem where both guys love supporting one another when it is their turn to go. It takes full cooperation and commitment to winning to go with a system like this.
The Boston Bruins have a very special goaltender in Jeremy Swayman
Over the off-season, however, there was a little bit of turbulence between the Bruins and Swayman. He is signed to a one-year deal after going through arbitration and he makes $3.475 million against the cap. He is an RFA again this summer.
On Sunday, we learned that things might not go as smoothly next time around. It doesn't sound like Swayman is very happy with management. He is committed to winning with his teammates and his coach but some things were said that got to him.
Swayman was selected to be an All-Star via the fan vote. It is a vote but he deserved to go with his 12-3-7 record, 2.49 goals against average, and .918 save percentage.
When talking about this selection, he referenced his arbitration by saying that this was a good feeling because of some things that were said to him during that time.
When asked about being named an All-Star, Jeremy Swayman brought up his arbitration case as part of his answer:
— Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin9) January 14, 2024
"After dealing with what I did this summer with arbitration, hearing things that a player should never hear, it feels pretty special to be in this situation."
These are some pretty crazy things for him to say. If he still feels that way by the time they start negotiating his next contract, things may get ugly. He is being open about his feelings.
If he became available right now, there would be a dozen teams calling on his services. The Bruins need to make him happy, lock him up, and watch him have an incredible career there in Boston.
Swayman will join David Pastrnak and head coach Jim Montgomery at the All-Star Game and it should be tons of fun watching them go.
The Bruins are a true Stanley Cup contender and they'd like to make what happened last year a long-lost memory by winning big this year. They need Swayman if they are going to do that.