Player Discussion Jeremy Swayman

[Hookslide]

There is something to be said for the difference in body language between our two goaltenders this season.

One one hand we have a guy who is willing to make the desperation saves when he is down and out and who seems to battling for the win and is pissed when it breaks down for upteenth time in front him and the game goes south.

On the other, we have a guy who is waving his arm half-heartedly at the puck as it breezes by him as these games get out of hand.

I understand why our fans are complimentary of Korpisalo and critical of Swayman.

To be clear, I agree with you. And I believe Swayman is too talented and too good of a goaltender to not bounce back out of this. He is but one of the many issues that have plagued the Bruins this season and he’s not even the most egregious. And there was a bit of predetermined outrage that was going to directed at Swayman due to the inaccurate and inflammatory narrative surrounding his contract negotiations this offseason - regardless of his performance.

But I also feel myself pissed that the guy can’t show half the compete level of his counterpart, who is supposed to be his backup.

I hope you are right, that he is too talented, and too good, not to bounce back, I just hope there a GM, out there thinking like you.

 

[Jdavidev]

Are you upset at the 8 million Elias Lindholm stole from the Bruins this year?

As a fan, I'm far more upset at the money they gave players from OUTSIDE the organization to come here and play like dog-shit. Taking care of your own guys I can live with.

Elias Lindholm takes the Bruins to the cleaners on July 1st and fans are fine with that. One of their own guys negotiates harder to get what he feels he can and somehow that's a problem. It's a business yet there seems to be some sort of double-standard for fans when it comes to RFAs vs. UFAs. If I had a nickel for every time I read on this board that RFAs got zero leverage I could retire. There is always leverage.

RFA's are younger players who generally haven't fully developed yet, but expect to be paid on potential. They are also not negotiating with the entire league, just one team.

UFA's are older players who generally have established exactly who they are. They typically get paid on past performance and the hope that their decline is a gentle one. They do negotiate with the entire league which pushes up their salary.

There is a night an day difference between these two scenarios. An UFA is getting what the market dictates of them. An RFA is demanding a market for themselves.

 

[Number8]

I thought Swayman challenge last night was a bit of posing. Kind of desperate look at me moment. Frankly, it felt kind of Binnington like. But I’m not in the room so what i think is just some rando’s opinion.

Looks like Z might be in same camp though????? If so that’s not good. Not good at all.

 

[Hookslide]

The Stanley Cup Champions spend 11.36% on their goalie. Bruins allocated 9.38% to their goalie.

Bruins one goalie or two, because that number does look right

 

[BruinDust]

RFA's are younger players who generally haven't fully developed yet, but expect to be paid on potential. They are also not negotiating with the entire league, just one team.

RFA's can speak and negotiate with any team. Can sign with any team. The market is the market.

Some posters on this board act like RFAs are prisoners of their most recent club.

 

[Colt.45Orr]

Binnington grew up and Swayman can too. 92 was in no trouble at all, that was about Swayman wanting attention.

 

[Forester65]

Next time Swayman sees Kuemper, maybe he can ask him what it's like to go from a mediocre defensive team to a solid one.

Did Kuemper at age 34 all of sudden find a second wind? His numbers from Washington last year vs. LA this year are like night and day. His numbers last year were worse than Swayman's this year. This year for goalies with over 20 appearances he's 3rd in SP, 2nd in GAA.

Is Kuemper suddenly a new goaltender? I'm gonna say no. What changed? The players and systems in front of him.

You put Swayman on LA and his numbers are just as good if not better.

Possibly. He has a first rate goalie coach in Boston who is widely credited to be among the best in the business and who has helped many Bruin goalies raise their game. To me it seems like Sway isn't as locked in as he was last year. When he is on and tracking the puck like he can, he can look unbeatable. That version of his game has scarcely been seen this year. No goalie should be expected to play above and beyond a weak team in front of him night in and night out. The team's flaws will eventually be too much to overcome. However on many nights he has been downright lousy and hasn't given the team a chance to win.

 

[EverettMike]

Zadorov's comments f***ing suck and if you don't agree you probably thought it was fine when Sonny shared his real thoughts with Sollozzo.

 

[Smitty93]

Life is ever-changing, but it's good to know that three certainties remain: death, taxes, and Bruins fans hating their starting goalie

 

[PB37]

Next time Swayman sees Kuemper, maybe he can ask him what it's like to go from a mediocre defensive team to a solid one.

Did Kuemper at age 34 all of sudden find a second wind? His numbers from Washington last year vs. LA this year are like night and day. His numbers last year were worse than Swayman's this year. This year for goalies with over 20 appearances he's 3rd in SP, 2nd in GAA.

Is Kuemper suddenly a new goaltender? I'm gonna say no. What changed? The players and systems in front of him.

You put Swayman on LA and his numbers are just as good if not better.

Kuemper in Arizona from 18-19 to 2021 had a .920 SP playing in front of a highly mediocre team that couldnt score. He kept Arizona competitive while the team struggled to put goals on the board. Swayman has not done the job this year. He hasn't been a difference maker and on most nights, has not given his team a fighting chance. If Swayman can't be the difference maker he was since being in Maine, then the Bruins should trade him this off-season and go back to a goalie tandem.

 

[KrejciWinger]

Life is ever-changing, but it's good to know that three certainties remain: death, taxes, and Bruins fans hating their starting goalie

My post history is all Ullmark defending, even during playoffs.

Swayman is a whole different situation.

Binnington grew up and Swayman can too. 92 was in no trouble at all, that was about Swayman wanting attention.

This i'm still hopeful for. He can definitely turn things around.

 

[NeelyDan]

I thought Swayman challenge last night was a bit of posing. Kind of desperate look at me moment. Frankly, it felt kind of Binnington like. But I’m not in the room so what i think is just some rando’s opinion.

Looks like Z might be in same camp though????? If so that’s not good. Not good at all.

You’re bang on, it was as phony as his “business training”

I’d love to see him dealt, the guy’s a bad seed

 

[Pia8988]

Zadorov should probably focus on himself some more

 

[BruinDust]

Kuemper in Arizona from 18-19 to 2021 had a .920 SP playing in front of a highly mediocre team that couldnt score. He kept Arizona competitive while the team struggled to put goals on the board. Swayman has not done the job this year. He hasn't been a difference maker and on most nights, has not given his team a fighting chance. If Swayman can't be the difference maker he was since being in Maine, then the Bruins should trade him this off-season and go back to a goalie tandem.

I don't see what Kuemper did in his prime in Arizona a life-time ago to be relevant at all.

There is one explanation to his stats going from the drizzling shits to outstanding from one season to the next. Different skaters in a different system. Then he gets to play behind that system and his confidence grows. He couldn't even get a playoff start in Washington last year. Former cup winner.

I'm not sure how that is so outlandish to suggest goalies are largely a product of the team and system in front of them. We just saw 15 years of elevated goalie numbers here playing a zone defensive system combined with lots of offensive zone time. Thomas, Rask, Ullmark, and Swayman, all quality tenders, but their numbers being consistently good year upon year was predicated on what was happening in front of them.

Get new coaches that can teach and implement a sound defensive system and get players who can execute that gameplan and the goaltending won't be an issue.

 

[PB37]

I don't see what Kuemper did in his prime in Arizona a life-time ago to be relevant at all.

There is one explanation to his stats going from the drizzling shits to outstanding from one season to the next. Different skaters in a different system. Then he gets to play behind that system and his confidence grows. He couldn't even get a playoff start in Washington last year. Former cup winner.

I'm not sure how that is so outlandish to suggest goalies are largely a product of the team and system in front of them. We just saw 15 years of elevated goalie numbers here playing a zone defensive system combined with lots of offensive zone time. Thomas, Rask, Ullmark, and Swayman, all quality tenders, but their numbers being consistently good year upon year was predicated on what was happening in front of them.

Get new coaches that can teach and implement a sound defensive system and get players who can execute that gameplan and the goaltending won't be an issue.

I see it as very relevant. You had a "in his prime" goaltender elevating a mediocre team that couldn't score to be a tough out every night and was able to keep his personal stats out of the shitter. If you can't notice a difference between how Swayman is playing this year vs prior years, you need to take a closer look. He is consistently not square to shots, especially from distance when the threat is coming from the wings. He's not focused ( que up the Senators game highlights ). Just an overall lack of care for his craft and ability to stay locked in.

 

[JoeIsAStud]

Bruins one goalie or two, because that number does look right

That is just the starters. Although the Panthers actually spend more on their backup than the Bruins do. So overall the Panthers . Counting the overall goalie spend, the Panthers Stanley Cup team spent over 15% of their cap on goalies

 

[Aussie Bruin]

I agree with you on the bolded part. But ultimately whether he's getting paid 775k or 8.25 million, he's the Bruins main goaltender starting 65%-75% of their games. Their starting goalie playing poorly at 775k doesn't help the Bruins any more or less than playing poorly for 8.25 million.

Am I blaming everybody else? For the most part I am. Fully admit that. Between coaching, offense, defense and goaltending, the only one of the four I don't have an issue with is goaltending, including Korpisalo. Get those other 3 elements figured out, and the goaltending will fall into place. Bruins have a lot of work to do.

Reality is so far Sway hasn't cost the Bruins anything, other than the simple fact of his yearly salary. He could have been amazing all season and the team would still have sucked and they still wouldn't be in the playoffs. So in that sense no harm done, and that's why I'm not really annoyed by his play even though he's definitely underperformed.

Next year, different story. Well you hope it is and the Bruins can be at least a half-decent team. Then he'll need to step up and we'll see if he can. I think getting upset or wanting him gone already are both pointless at this stage.

 

[BiteThisBurrows]

I'd actually side with Zadorov. He's had real fights against real opponents and other team's heavyweights and he has actually stood up for team mates. This did seem like some posing from Swayman and maybe bs frustration. He's done this a few times this year around his net and all that's fine but his head is clearly not fully on his shoulders. I think he needs to see a sports psychologist this off season.

Ultimately Swayman screwed the team over with his hold out and if he'd come in and backed things up with his play it would be fine win or lose but he's sucked overall and he's currently one of the main reasons this team fell so fast and hard.

Zadorov might be overpaid and hasn't lived up to his deal for sure, but he's a lot closer to his value than Swayman.

 

[BiteThisBurrows]

One other thing, the genius of goalie Bob seems to have hit a wall as well. Arguably he's done a fine job with Korpisalo and improved his play from what it was in Ottawa but he does not seem to have the ability to get into Swayman's swelled head and ego.

Given Bob's track record I would guess Swayman thinks he knows better and isn't listening.

 

[Bruinaura]

Anyone blaming Swayman for this season is forgetting one thing:

It's Tuukka's fault.

 

[BruinDust]

I see it as very relevant. You had a "in his prime" goaltender elevating a mediocre team that couldn't score to be a tough out every night and was able to keep his personal stats out of the shitter. If you can't notice a difference between how Swayman is playing this year vs prior years, you need to take a closer look. He is consistently not square to shots, especially from distance when the threat is coming from the wings. He's not focused ( que up the Senators game highlights ). Just an overall lack of care for his craft and ability to stay locked in.

I was comparing Kuemper 2023-24 to Kuemper 2024-25 to illustrate a point. So no, your comment on Kuemper from 2018-19 isn't relevant. I didn't even bring up how he won a cup with another different group of skaters and system in 2021-22.

Anyways I've said all I plan to say on Swayman for one off-season. Bruins need to get the rest of their house in order.

 

[Morris Wanchuk]

Zadorov's comments f***ing suck and if you don't agree you probably thought it was fine when Sonny shared his real thoughts with Sollozzo.

Maybe his brain is getting soft with all of that comedy he is playing with that young girl?

 

[Bodit9]

I'd actually side with Zadorov. He's had real fights against real opponents and other team's heavyweights and he has actually stood up for team mates. This did seem like some posing from Swayman and maybe bs frustration. He's done this a few times this year around his net and all that's fine but his head is clearly not fully on his shoulders. I think he needs to see a sports psychologist this off season.

Ultimately Swayman screwed the team over with his hold out and if he'd come in and backed things up with his play it would be fine win or lose but he's sucked overall and he's currently one of the main reasons this team fell so fast and hard.

Zadorov might be overpaid and hasn't lived up to his deal for sure, but he's a lot closer to his value than Swayman.

Swayman tanked this whole season. If he was just average, they'd be in the playoffs. But he's been outright brutal.

 

[Igor25]

Reality is so far Sway hasn't cost the Bruins anything, other than the simple fact of his yearly salary. He could have been amazing all season and the team would still have sucked and they still wouldn't be in the playoffs. So in that sense no harm done, and that's why I'm not really annoyed by his play even though he's definitely underperformed.

Next year, different story. Well you hope it is and the Bruins can be at least a half-decent team. Then he'll need to step up and we'll see if he can. I think getting upset or wanting him gone already are both pointless at this stage.

Agreed. Next year with a healthy D core will tell the tale.

 

[Aussie Bruin]

Swayman tanked this whole season. If he was just average, they'd be in the playoffs. But he's been outright brutal.

No they wouldn't. The Bruins are -46 in goals for/against. According to MoneyPuck, Sway has conceded 8 more goals than he statistically should have. Eight. Factor in Korpi who is -1 and that still leaves the Bruins at -37 while the team currently sitting in WC2 is only -18 and 7 points ahead of the Bruins with 3 games in hand. Boston are miles away and while Sway is partly responsible for that to me it's straight up inaccurate to claim they'd be in the playoffs if only he'd been even 'average'.

If he'd been outstanding then yeah just maybe they're sniffing around a spot. Hellebuyck for example has a crazy league-leading 34 goals saved above expected, but he's been playing behind a far far better defense and I don't think it's reasonable to expect Sway or anyone else to have delivered that kind of performance backing up this mostly putrid Bruins team. For sure he could and should have been better, and a goalie who consistently stands on his head can drag a team to some pretty unlikely places, but of all the reasons the Bruins are not qualifying, he's a middling factor at best.

Not letting him off the hook - he's got a ton of work to do to get back to where he needs to be - but I think it's a simple misreading of the situation and counter-productive to believe that a better goalie performance alone would have kept them in contention.