Player Discussion Jeremy Swayman

[rfournier103]

"EVERYONE"? Not the way I remember it. I would say it was 50/50 between the "Sign him for whatever he wants" and the "He's never been a #1, he shouldn't be looking to set any market of any kind" camps. I was firmly in the latter, as were many others.

Fair enough. Certainly not the first time I’ve been wrong about something.

I stand corrected.

 

[KnightofBoston]

Not all of us. Several myself included wanted to keep the tandem intact and sign Swayman to a bridge deal. We didn’t trust that he could handle the workload of a #1 goaltender and didn’t think his playoff success was a strong enough indicator of future performance.

Problem with this is there was no way to “keep the tandem” intact without paying Ullmark what Swayman got. So now you’re 12ish million spent on goalies. I guess it’s not so bad if they carry your team but no sane GM would do it

 

[Hookslide]

Major downgrade

Why you are getting a goaltender that save's you money and you get a former first round pick 4th overall, for an over paid goaltender, a center that might not make the team next year, and a defenseman that is defensively deficient. no brainer.

 

[chizzler]

I don't remember all how it happen. But not sure the strategy letting Ullmark go w/o Sway signed was a great Bruins management.

I see the hate from people how the negotiations went down. Many say they should have signed Sway before reading Ullmark. They lost their hand. If they sign Swayman, then no team is giving them what they want due to the fact that the Bruins now won’t have two goalies making that. So they lose their hand that way as well. Don’t both of them have the same agent? You couldn’t say to hold on the announcement until a trade was made due to the agent. So how did they lose their hand in that. To me, they lost advantage when Ullmark refused to sign a deal at the trade. Then after signed the deal anyways. Who in their right mind would keep two goalies making that much money? Who would also keep Ullmark over Swayman? None. This team sucks and this is what you see. If he’s right, he probably wins you five or so games.

 

[JAD]

If the Bruins can convince Seattle for a Daccord / Swayman swap, do it. Daccord would be coming home and Swayman back in the NorthWest, where some comfortability of being closer to home for him might help with his pschye.

I made a similar trade proposal back in September involving Seattle, Dacccord and a couple of other Seattle prospect players. I was told at the time Seattle wouldn't do it because they have Grubauer, that Boston would have to take Grubauer. But I agree with the premise of your trade, or something similar somewhere ... should they move on from him.

 

[PB37]

I made a similar trade proposal back in September involving Seattle, Dacccord and a couple of other Seattle prospect players. I was told at the time Seattle wouldn't do it because they have Grubauer, that Boston would have to take Grubauer. But I agree with the premise of your trade, or something similar somewhere ... should they move on from him.

I'm hoping Swayman rebounds, which is my first preference. But if they can get a good deal for a quality goaltender and maybe even help get their foot in the door for something else as part of the package, then I think it's something they need to seriously consider.

 

[JAD]

I'm hoping Swayman rebounds, which is my first preference. But if they can get a good deal for a quality goaltender and maybe even help get their foot in the door for something else as part of the package, then I think it's something they need to seriously consider.

I was a Swayman fan going into last year's playoffs wanting him in net. I was very pleased with his performance against Toronto and Florida. Then there was the contract negotiations and Swayman showed his true character, true colors, if you will. The - I, me, myself, self-centered self-prompting egotistical persona. It wasn't so much the ask, but the presumptuous entitlement that reeked in the face of team culture of the last decade. Others on the team have gotten paid, but there was never the drama or distraction.

A somewhat unproven inexperienced goalie wanting elite veteran money conceitedly boasting he didn't want to ruin the goalie market for others, putting himself and other goalies ahead of his teammates and team. It didn't sit well then, it doesn't sit well now.

After refusing Boston's offer and holding out, I would have let him sit, offering a one year 'show me' bridge deal. I said it then, I'll say it now, the deal he got crippled the team - cap and player movement wise. And while it may never be said publicly, the things said and the way he handled negotiations may have left a bad impression upon teammates, room atmosphere, and Bruins team first culture, (and management). The old saying, 'one bad apple ...'

But, hey, that was then. All I know going forward is that if they don't immediately trade him this summer, he better get his act together, show some humility putting the team before himself, and earn his paycheck. If he doesn't this should, better, be his last year in Boston.

Believe me, I really want to see Swayman become an elite goalie in Boston, constantly stealing games and making unbelievable saves. He has shown he has that potential, but can he do it consistently? If he does well, the team will do well. I believe people can learn and change, I believe in second chances.

If he is still here this coming season, he has to have, I hope he has, an exceptional season and constantly shows above average - elite goaltending. Use last year as a learning experience. He wanted to be number one, he now has to live up to it. Consistency, stamina, fortitude, complete, and attitude will be key. Because, if he doesn't have it, it could turn ugly quickly and make it very difficult to remain in Boston. Management has until the end of June 26 to reevaluate their decision and determine if he is actually their goalie going forward. I'm critical, but I hope he grows here and becomes what we all hope.

 

[elMatador]

I see the hate from people how the negotiations went down. Many say they should have signed Sway before reading Ullmark. They lost their hand. If they sign Swayman, then no team is giving them what they want due to the fact that the Bruins now won’t have two goalies making that. So they lose their hand that way as well. Don’t both of them have the same agent? You couldn’t say to hold on the announcement until a trade was made due to the agent. So how did they lose their hand in that. To me, they lost advantage when Ullmark refused to sign a deal at the trade. Then after signed the deal anyways. Who in their right mind would keep two goalies making that much money? Who would also keep Ullmark over Swayman? None. This team sucks and this is what you see. If he’s right, he probably wins you five or so games.

Swayman and his agent only took advantage of situation and Sweeney's stupidity once he sent Ullmark to the Senators and later decided Bruins were not to file for arbitration.


Hindsight is 20/20 but Sweeney had one of the worst offseason ever with a domino effect that could have a lot longer-lasting impact than the 2015 draft.

1st misstep: All started in late June as he desperately wanted to get Bruins own 1st 2024 pick back from the Senators.

2nd misstep: Senators saw it from a mile away, got him by the balls and squeezed them hard. They got a starting goalie signed for 1 more year at $5m from a divisional rival, unlocked $12m/4 years in cap space while sacrificing only a late 1st and a 4th liner.

3rd misstep: Drafted with that 1st pick a center that didn't score a single goal this season and had only 3 assists in 36 NCAA games. It's too early to judge but that's a red flag however you look at it.

4th misstep: Signed Lindholm to a massive $54.25m contract after a mid 40 point season. The red flag was there.

5th misstep: Did not file for arbitration with Swayman. A rookie mistake by GM. Absolutely the red flag.

6th misstep: With no leverage to negotiate at all, he caved to Swayman and gave him a huge $66m contract.

7th misstep: Didn't fire the head coach before the training camp started.

One could argue it's just bad luck with Lindholm and a fluke season from Swayman, but man Sweeney's scouting sucks, signing UFAs/RFAs sucks and his relationship with coaches after a season or two also sucks.

 

[Bradely]

I see the hate from people how the negotiations went down. Many say they should have signed Sway before reading Ullmark. They lost their hand. If they sign Swayman, then no team is giving them what they want due to the fact that the Bruins now won’t have two goalies making that. So they lose their hand that way as well. Don’t both of them have the same agent? You couldn’t say to hold on the announcement until a trade was made due to the agent. So how did they lose their hand in that. To me, they lost advantage when Ullmark refused to sign a deal at the trade. Then after signed the deal anyways. Who in their right mind would keep two goalies making that much money? Who would also keep Ullmark over Swayman? None. This team sucks and this is what you see. If he’s right, he probably wins you five or so games.

Negotiating is also about anticipating. Managing well also means having a good vision of the options. I don't know how everything unfolded, but to an outsider like me, the Bruins really don't seem to have managed or negotiated their goalie duo well at that time. Might be wrong, but this how I see it.

 

[Donnie Shulzhoffer]

Negotiating is also about anticipating. Managing well also means having a good vision of the options. I don't know how everything unfolded, but to an outsider like me, the Bruins really don't seem to have managed or negotiated their goalie duo well at that time. Might be wrong, but this how I see it.

You are not an outsider by going out of your way to post this.

 

[BiteThisBurrows]

I found myself wondering today would this team be better off if they traded Swayman for something good and then used that big money to make signing Marner possible would this team be better off?

Like what if we got Chicago's top 3 pick to go with our pick? Suddenly we have a big future coming and we bury the whole Swayman fiasco in the past. I mean Swayman potentially being good in the playoffs isn't going to help us if we're not in the playoffs. Just not sure I trust him to fully bounce back.

 

[Hookslide]

I found myself wondering today would this team be better off if they traded Swayman for something good and then used that big money to make signing Marner possible would this team be better off?

Like what if we got Chicago's top 3 pick to go with our pick? Suddenly we have a big future coming and we bury the whole Swayman fiasco in the past. I mean Swayman potentially being good in the playoffs isn't going to help us if we're not in the playoffs. Just not sure I trust him to fully bounce back.

Bruins would need to add.

 

[BiteThisBurrows]

Bruins would need to add.

You think so? You don't think you could get a high first for a (potential) star goalie? The other GM would obviously have to believe that Swayman would bounce back but that's highly possible. Philly is another team that might take a big swing for a goalie.

 

[Bradely]

You are not an outsider by going out of your way to post this.

Well, I might have make a vocabulary mistake... but for me outsider means someone who is outside, was not part of. ....

 

[Gonzothe7thDman]

You think so? You don't think you could get a high first for a (potential) star goalie? The other GM would obviously have to believe that Swayman would bounce back but that's highly possible. Philly is another team that might take a big swing for a goalie.

What goalies in the past have fetched a top 5 pick?

Highest pick I can think of off the top of my head that was acquired in a goalie trade is #10.

If I’m a rebuilding team give me a cost control young player with a whole career in front of him rather than a potentially overpaid goalie.

 

[BiteThisBurrows]

What goalies in the past have fetched a top 5 pick?

Highest pick I can think of off the top of my head that was acquired in a goalie trade is #10.

If I’m a rebuilding team give me a cost control young player with a whole career in front of him rather than a potentially overpaid goalie.

Except when has a top ranked goalie (which Swayman was before this season) of that age, entering his prime, been available (if he was)?
Obviously the other GM would have to believe this year was a one off outlier for Swayman and he'd check goalie, locked up with term, off his rebuild list. It all depends. If Philly thinks they have Michkov, they have the bones of a team in place, they have multiple picks and prospects, so maybe they think all we need is a goalie and we are a playoff team and maybe they think that time is now.

 

[Gonzothe7thDman]

Except when has a top ranked goalie (which Swayman was before this season) of that age, entering his prime, been available (if he was)?
Obviously the other GM would have to believe this year was a one off outlier for Swayman and he'd check goalie, locked up with term, off his rebuild list. It all depends. If Philly thinks they have Michkov, they have the bones of a team in place, they have multiple picks and prospects, so maybe they think all we need is a goalie and we are a playoff team and maybe they think that time is now.

Goalies just don’t have that type of value around the league.

Especially goalies coming off a down season with 7 years left on a pricey contract.

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

Why you are getting a goaltender that save's you money and you get a former first round pick 4th overall, for an over paid goaltender, a center that might not make the team next year, and a defenseman that is defensively deficient. no brainer.

Because Daccord isnt good. You dont impulse trade a goalie with Swayman's ability for a JAG like Daccord just because he had 1 bad year. A Daccord-Korpisalo tandem = ping pong balls.

Daccord is 28 and only had 19 starts before 2023-24 (with a ~.875 sv% over those starts) and has exactly 1 season where he looked like a serviceable starter

In a Daccord-Swayman swap, the Bruins are 1000% not the ones that need to add

 

[PB37]

Because Daccord isnt good. You dont impulse trade a goalie with Swayman's ability for a JAG like Daccord just because he had 1 bad year. A Daccord-Korpisalo tandem = ping pong balls.

Daccord is 28 and only had 19 starts before 2023-24 (with a ~.875 sv% over those starts) and has exactly 1 season where he looked like a serviceable starter

In a Daccord-Swayman swap, the Bruins are 1000% not the ones that need to add

Daccord is a pretty solid goaltender and has been since becoming a full time starter.

 

[Hookslide]

Because Daccord isnt good. You dont impulse trade a goalie with Swayman's ability for a JAG like Daccord just because he had 1 bad year. A Daccord-Korpisalo tandem = ping pong balls.

Daccord is 28 and only had 19 starts before 2023-24 (with a ~.875 sv% over those starts) and has exactly 1 season where he looked like a serviceable starter

In a Daccord-Swayman swap, the Bruins are 1000% not the ones that need to add

Swayman hasn't proven shit, other than if he doesn't have a crutch to fall back on like Ullmark, he fails, I absolutley would take Daccord and use the savings elsewhere. I also think Swayman is not liked and was one of the biggest problems on the team this and it just snowballed through the entire Lockeroom. I do not want to get stuck with his contract for 7 more years.

 

[BMC]

Fair enough.

I was in the “we need cap space to sign a top line center” camp, and definitely thought Swayman’s playoff success was enough of a justification.

I loved the tendie bromance as much as anyone, but Bruins have always been able to find good goaltending and I don’t think they could have kept both because I doubt Swayman would sign a bridge deal.

Next year should yield better results.

I disagree. Swayman would have signed a bridge deal if DS had had the stones to tell him "sign it or don't play". You can't win the #1 job if you're not playing at all. Instead Sweeney caved, he traded Ullmark to give Swayman his money & then watched him play like shit all season long.

Jeremy Swayman had better show up for training camp ready to play that's all I can say.