The Boston Bruins have secured their goaltender Jeremy Swayman for the long term, signing him to an eight-year contract worth $66 million. This deal comes after a period of negotiations that went down to the wire, just two days before the start of the season.
Last year, the Bruins took Swayman to arbitration, and this year's negotiations were also tense. However, the team ultimately offered him $66 million, averting a potential holdout situation that could have disrupted the team's season.
With an average annual value of $8.25 million, Swayman now ranks among the top five highest-paid goalies in the NHL. This significant contract reflects the team's confidence in the 25-year-old Alaska native, who has yet to serve as a team's primary starting goalie for a full season.
Swayman, a restricted free agent, had missed all of training camp leading up to the signing. The deadline for him to sign or sit out the entire season was looming, putting pressure on both sides to reach an agreement.
After sharing goaltending duties with Linus Ullmark last season, Swayman emerged as the Bruins' top goalie during the playoffs. Despite their early exit in the second round, the team sees Swayman as a key piece for future success.
General Manager Don Sweeney had made signing Swayman a top priority in the offseason. The decision to trade Ullmark before finalizing Swayman's contract gave the player leverage in negotiations.
During Swayman's absence from training camp, the Bruins relied on Joonas Korpisalo and Brandon Bussi in goal. Korpisalo, acquired in the Ullmark trade, brings experience from his time with the Ottawa Senators.
Coach Jim Montgomery treated Swayman's absence like an injury, emphasizing a 'next man up' mentality. The team is now looking ahead to the season with Swayman locked in as their starting goalie for the foreseeable future.
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