Swayman’s Spectacular Homecoming to Boston Bruins

On the night of the Boston Bruins’ home opener, Jeremy Swayman was the first player to be announced, welcomed by a thunderous applause from the audience. Despite the contract stalemate that held him back from participating in the training camp, Swayman’s return was met with nothing but support from the Boston crowd. The goaltender had inked a hefty $66 million contract on Sunday, just two days ahead of the season’s commencement.

The Emotional Return of Swayman

“It’s profoundly moving to be back on the ice in this arena,” Swayman expressed, following his remarkable performance where he blocked 21 shots, leading the Bruins to a 6-4 victory against the Montreal Canadiens. The goaltender’s return was filled with emotion, from the warm reception to the deafening cheer when he stepped on the ice.

Swayman’s performance was not without its challenges. He conceded a few goals in the first period and another two in the third, which allowed Montreal to reduce a three-goal deficit to 5-4 with Brendan Gallagher’s second goal of the game with 4:17 remaining. However, Mark Kastelic’s swift goal just 17 seconds later ensured the Bruins’ win.

The $66M Contract Ending the Standoff

Swayman demonstrated his playful side when he gave a gentle push to Montreal forward Nick Suzuki, pushing him out of the crease at the end of the second period. A linesman swiftly intervened to keep things friendly. “I needed a little balance help there,” Swayman joked.

The goalie also shared his unique ways of keeping himself engaged in the game, which include communicating with his teammates, talking with the referees, and bringing his unique blend of confidence and calmness to the field.

From Backup to Top Five Goalie

Previously a backup to Linus Ullmark during Boston’s record-setting 2022-23 season, Swayman alternated with Ullmark the following year and made 43 regular season starts with a 2.53 goals-against average. He finally secured the No. 1 spot during the playoffs.

Swayman, a restricted free agent, had missed all of training camp before agreeing on an eight-year deal that averages $8.25 million per year, placing him among the top five goalies in the NHL in terms of average annual value. He had only one team practice before the opener, and backup Joonas Korpisalo played and conceded six goals in Tuesday’s season-opening 6-4 loss to the reigning Stanley Cup champions, Florida.

As the Panthers, who had eliminated Boston from the playoffs in the previous two seasons, took a 5-1 lead, their fans began chanting “We want Swayman!” Swayman expressed his desire to play every game, “I want to be in the net every chance I get. So I’m excited to get that opportunity.”

The Bruins coach, Jim Montgomery, expressed his satisfaction with Swayman’s performance, attributing some of the goals to defensive errors, “Jeremy Swayman was good,” he commented. “He made the saves that he could.”