How did things ever get so far? I don’t know. It was so unfortunate, so unnecessary.
As a middle-aged male, I’m basically required to quote The Godfather at every possible turn in life. And this twist in the saga between restricted free agent goalie Jeremy Swayman and the Boston Bruins felt like a prime opportunity to fulfill that duty.
Even if the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement on a new contract over the summer and into training camp, things didn’t feel like they got that far until Monday, when Bruins president Cam Neely said there were “64 million reasons” for Swayman to already be back with the team. Swayman’s agent, Lewis Gross, quickly replied with a blunt statement that said, among other things, that “This was the first time that number was discussed in our negotiations.”
That was the moment it felt like both sides dropped the Michael Corleone approach to business — stay calm, it’s never personal — and adopted a Sonny Corleone “Where’s my baseball bat?” posture.
There’s every chance this standoff between Swayman and the organization he has said all along he wants to remain a part of still resolves peacefully. But for the first time in this saga, it feels like an outcome other than Swayman remaining in Boston is something worth considering.
Is there an offer out there Boston can’t refuse?
If so, you’d have to think it meets at least a couple criteria. First off, it likely needs to be made by a Western Conference team, because the idea of trading a potentially Vezina-calibre goalie in his early prime to a division or even conference rival is a tough one.
Also, you have to think the B’s would need a goalie back in the swap who is capable of playing at least 35 games this year, with Joonas Korpisalo — as of Monday — being declared the opening-night starter.
Another thing to consider is that, because Swayman doesn’t turn 26 until November, you’d have to believe a wide range of teams — from contenders to rebuilders — would be interested in inking him to the eight-year deal we all assume is coming from somewhere.
Let’s just pause for a moment to acknowledge it’s absolutely bonkers to consider a tandem of Korpisalo and another newcomer being Boston’s duo after three seasons — and in particular the past two — of Swayman and Linus Ullmark being the bedrock of Boston’s success.
Again, there’s every chance things settle down, Swayman signs and winds up carrying on a 15-year legacy of top-flight goaltending in Boston, from Tim Thomas (Vezina winner in 2009 and 2011) to Tuukka Rask (2014) to Ullmark (2023).
Right now, though, it’s worth at least considering what it might look like if this relationship between Boston and a young star follows the Joe Thornton, Phil Kessel, Tyler Seguin path — and which teams might be anxious to be the new San Jose, Toronto or Dallas.
Vegas Golden Knights
It would be serious salary cap challenge, but the Golden Knights have navigated those waters before. Adin Hill — a Cup-winning goalie from 2023 — is under contract for one more season at $4.9 million and could be shipped east. Would the B’s be interested in William Karlsson at half his current hit? If so, that would allow Vegas to clear nearly $8 million. If there’s one thing we know, even Original Misfits like Karlsson — who does have limited trade protection — aren’t safe when Vegas goes full ruthless mode. And, to be fair, the Golden Knights could deal him and still run Jack Eichel and Tomas Hertl down the middle.
The cap is certainly an issue, but the bigger roadblock for Vegas might be its inability to put together a truly enticing package. Hill and Karlsson are good pieces, but Vegas has eviscerated its stores of first-round picks and close-to-ready prospects in past deals.
Still, if there’s big game out there, you know Vegas will be hunting.
Utah Hockey Club
UHC has already shown the franchise is jumping into a new era by making big swings to land Mikhail Sergachev from Tampa and fellow D-man John Marino from the Devils.
How about a goalie?
Utah could offer up either Karel Vejmelka or Connor Ingram as puckstoppers who could form a tandem with Korpisalo. Vejmelka has just one year remaining on his contract, while Ingram has two. In either case, it’s not a huge commitment and Ingram, in particular, could have some untapped upside.
Utah also has more than its share of good young players and prospects. And while the Bruins are obviously in win-now mode, a Swayman trade could represent an opportunity to funnel some much-needed young talent into the org.
There’s probably no need to ask Utah about Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther or Tij Iginla, but the likes of six-foot-five D-man Dmitriy Simashev or similarly huge winger Daniil But are certainly interesting and, potentially, not that far away from making an NHL impact.
Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks, by signing a slew of veterans this summer, have signalled they are trying to win as many games as possible right now and spare Connor Bedard the pain of enduring too many lost seasons.
Swayman could certainly help the rebuild shift into arrival mode.
In fact, pair Swayman with one of those summer signings — Laurent Brossoit, who has a .927 save percentage in 34 contests over the past two seasons — and you may just have one of the league’s best batteries.
Chicago could send back Petr Mrazek — who had a .907 save percentage on a bottom-feeding Blackhawks team last season — and likely eat a decent portion of $4.25 million cap hit he has for two seasons.
After that, it’s hands-off the likes of young defencemen Kevin Korchinski and Artyom Levshunov. But, if it meant getting Swayman back, you’d have to believe names like Frank Nazar, Oliver Moore and Lukas Reichel would be in play.
It’s hard to say any of this seems like a perfect solution, certainly for the team and possibly even for the player. But it is a glimpse into what could happen should trade be the business Boston and Swayman choose.