The Boston Bruins revealed their 2024 training camp roster on September 17, but it notably excludes one of their standout players, restricted free-agent goaltender Jeremy Swayman. With 50 players slated to report to Warrior Ice Arena on Wednesday, September 18, Swayman’s absence is significant, as he has yet to agree on a new contract with the team.
At 25, Swayman remains unsigned just days before the start of the regular season, leaving the Bruins without one of their key goaltenders heading into camp. While the team has five goalies listed for camp—Ryan Bischel, Brandon Bussi, Michael DiPietro, Joonas Korpisalo, and Nolan Maier—Swayman’s absence creates uncertainty. Korpisalo, acquired from the Ottawa Senators, is expected to take the starting role temporarily, but his performance may not match Swayman’s level, as he’s seen more as a backup than a primary starter.
Swayman has established himself as one of the NHL’s top young goalies, boasting a career record of 79-33-15, a 2.34 goals-against average, and a .919 save percentage. This level of performance is difficult to replace, and the Bruins face a significant challenge if Swayman’s contract remains unresolved as the season approaches.
The delay in finalizing the contract stems from the Bruins’ hesitancy to offer Swayman a long-term deal due to concerns about his experience as a full-time starter. Reports suggest Swayman is seeking a deal with an average annual value (AAV) higher than Juuse Saros’ $7.74 million, potentially aiming for over $10 million. Meanwhile, the Bruins are rumored to have offered around $6.2 million per season, according to Spittin’ Chiclets’ Ryan Whitney.
On September 14, The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa predicted that Swayman would miss camp due to the unresolved contract situation, stating that Swayman is confident in his value and what he brings to the team. As the standoff continues, the Bruins face an uncertain goaltending situation, and if Swayman’s holdout extends, it could significantly impact the team.
Under NHL rules, Swayman must sign a contract by December 1 to be eligible to play in the 2024–25 season, adding pressure to both parties to reach an agreement before the deadline.
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