DONE, Significant Development: Boston Bruins Reach A major

The Boston Bruins and goaltender Jeremy Swayman reached a significant agreement on August 1, 2023, settling on a one-year contract worth $3.475 million after an arbitration hearing. This outcome was a middle ground between the Bruins’ offer of $2 million and Swayman’s request for $4.8 million.

Here are some key points from the development:

– **Contract Details**: The one-year deal will make Swayman a restricted free agent again next summer, maintaining his eligibility for arbitration. He won’t be an unrestricted free agent until the 2026 offseason.

– **Salary Cap Impact**: The Bruins are currently $345,834 over the salary cap, but they have room to maneuver by making roster adjustments or utilizing waivers. They can exceed the cap by up to 10 percent in the offseason, which provides some flexibility. The team may need to comply with the cap before the season starts by adjusting the roster or making use of a second buyout window.

– **Performance**: Swayman had a standout season with a 24-6-4 record, four shutouts, a .920 save percentage, and a 2.27 GAA. His metrics, including goals saved above expected and high-danger save percentage, were among the best in the league. This strong performance underlined his value to the team.

– **Goaltending Tandem**: Swayman and Linus Ullmark formed one of the NHL’s top goaltending duos last season. The Bruins’ goaltending was instrumental in their success, and both players have developed a strong partnership.

– **Future Outlook**: With this one-year deal, both Swayman and the Bruins might look at negotiating a longer-term extension in the 2024 offseason, especially if he continues to perform at a high level. The Bruins are expected to have significant cap space next year, which could facilitate a more permanent agreement.

The deal also allows the Bruins to focus on other offseason priorities, including potential decisions regarding veteran players like David Krejci. The team will rely on its strong goaltending and defensive capabilities as it navigates changes in its forward group.