Though we’re more than halfway through the off-season, Boston Bruins goaltender and restricted free agent Jeremy Swayman doesn’t seem worried about reaching a new deal.
The 25-year-old shot-stopper made an appearance on NESN earlier this week and weighed in on his ongoing contract negotiations, confident that a deal will get done.
“There’s a lot of confidence,” Swayman said. “I say that because I’ve treated it like business as usual this year. I’ve been a warrior, I’ve been working out with our guys, our staff, our players. And I know that there’s something special building in this locker room this year. I can’t be more excited about that.”
Boston has had an active off-season, particularly between the pipes after trading away close friend and “Huggy Bear” partner Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators in return for netminder Joonas Korpisalo.
Swayman and the Bruins went to arbitration last off-season and the goalie was granted a one-year, $3.475-million contract. Though the parties could’ve gone into arbitration again this year, Swayman did not elect to do so.
“I know that it will take care of itself with time and all I can do is control how I’m going to be a better goalie for the Boston Bruins this year,” Swayman told NESN. “That’s all I’m focused on, and I know, again, it’ll work out. I couldn’t be happier to be a Bruin.”
However, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on 32 Thoughts: The Podcast that there still may be a lot of work to be done.
“The last I heard, they weren’t close,” Friedman said. “I think this has been a bit of a challenging negotiation. But they’ve still got time, and we’ll see how this sorts out.”
Swayman was solid last season and took the No. 1 spot between the pipes from Ullmark by the time the playoffs rolled around.
He finished the season with a 25-10-8 record, a .916 save percentage and 2.53 GAA. In the post-season, he finished with a 6-6 record, 9.33 save percentage and 2.15 GAA.
