Player Discussion VIDEO: Swayman/Sweeney Following Contract Extension

[Mainehockey33]

If Swayman is doing any of this nonsense to get back at Sweeney, even after Swayman got what he wanted contract wise, then he is a cancer period!

I don’t think it’s that. Most likely it’s just what people were hoping wouldn’t happen. A good backup not ready for a number one workload. Even in college he averaged like 33 games a season. When people tried to point that out before he signed the reaction was look at his numbers, you can’t tell me that he’s not worth it or he can’t be a number one. There’s a big difference between being a backup and being a starter in the NHL. Of course he can still figure it out but the only thing he did any favors for in the offseason was his bank account. Good for him but nobody except Swayman’s family cares he got millions more than he should have. It’s not an excuse for his play. Do some fans watch him let in three in the first period and say oh well, at least Sway got the most he could have out of this deal and then change the channel?

 

[Caper Bruins fan]

I am a bit worried. He has always split the season so isn't used to playing so many games

He must understand that after holding out and getting a huge salary (one of the best for net minders in the NHL) he will be the subject of criticism.

I hope this works out for Sway and the team.

And at times Ullmark was the better goalie in the regular season when they rotated. Swayman was fine during the Leafs series and seemed poised to be able to handle 55+ games but obviously it’s not working thus far .

 

[EverettMike]

Some of the wins the Bs came in games where the GDT is full of people saying Swayman kept them in it. That was earlier in the season and now he looks much worse (as does the entire team).

No training camp followed by immediate overuse by a desperate coach has clearly impacted him. Combined with a terrible team in front of him and the whole thing has cratered.

He's not above criticism in the same way every player is responsible for their performance, but the above is why I am not worried longterm.

 

[goldenblack]

If Swayman is doing any of this nonsense to get back at Sweeney, even after Swayman got what he wanted contract wise, then he is a cancer period!

Don't think this is remotely possible.

 

[HHHH]

.884% and 3.47 GAA is pretty ugly.

It was definitely mentioned during the negotiations and right after he signed that Swayman had always been a fan favorite in Boston and earned a lot of goodwill and support from the B's fans during this tenure, but the holdout and the comment about how he "...can’t ruin the goalie market for other guys that are gonna be in my shoes down the line”, burned a lot of the good feelings.

Goaltending has clearly not been the only problem this season (a lot of blame to go around) but a big contract brings big expectations and responsibilities....I hope he has the mental toughness to get back to where he was in past seasons and earn back the confidence of the fanbase, and perhaps his teammates as well.

 

[PB37]

If the offense can't score and the defense can't stop the other team from scoring, what goalie would make a difference?

Eh-hem. Jusse Saros is playing with an offense just as if not more putrid than the Bruins and the defense has been a sieve, just like the Bruins. But, like a #1 goaltender does, he has been keeping his team in games and giving them a chance to win. 2.55 / .914 sounds pretty good right now.

Missing camp didn't help Swayman and he could be feeling the comforts of his new large, shiny contract. Whatever the excuse is, he should be one of the guys on the ice the team can depend on to make a difference and he simply hasn't been one. I think he's too good to keep playing like this but right now, he's one of the big problems.

 

[NDiesel]

Jeez, I've been harsh on Sway this year but at the same time he's a talented goalie who is 20 games into his 8 year contract. He needs to be better, and I'm sure he will, but the people doing victory laps 20 games in need to chill out

 

[Dr Hook]

Jeez, I've been harsh on Sway this year but at the same time he's a talented goalie who is 20 games into his 8 year contract. He needs to be better, and I'm sure he will, but the people doing victory laps 20 games in need to chill out

Agreed- there is a long way to go. He's not been great, and that contract today is looking like a pile of poo, but lots of time for it to change. I was one who never thought he was worth that kind of deal (few goalies ever are) but it's kind of soon to call it a Rick DiPietro situation.

 

[Mainehockey33]

Some of the wins the Bs came in games where the GDT is full of people saying Swayman kept them in it. That was earlier in the season and now he looks much worse (as does the entire team).

No training camp followed by immediate overuse by a desperate coach has clearly impacted him. Combined with a terrible team in front of him and the whole thing has cratered.

He's not above criticism in the same way every player is responsible for their performance, but the above is why I am not worried longterm.

He’s on pace to play 57 games this year, that’s right where people expect a starter to be at in games played. The concern that he’s being overused getting a number 1 workload is a concern some had before the season.

 

[EverettMike]

He’s on pace to play 57 games this year, that’s right where people expect a starter to be at in games played. The concern that he’s being overused getting a number 1 workload is a concern some had before the season.

I think he's being overused right now specifically because he missed training camp. Once that happened I think a split for the first two months was basically a necessity.

 

[Mainehockey33]

I think he's being overused right now specifically because he missed training camp. Once that happened I think a split for the first two months was basically a necessity.

Fair enough, he did start games sooner than people expected. At this point I think they need to start Korpisalo more and give Swayman a break. Doesn’t seem like he’s going to play his way out of it and losing isn’t good for his confidence.

 

[DarrenBanks56]

Eh-hem. Jusse Saros is playing with an offense just as if not more putrid than the Bruins and the defense has been a sieve, just like the Bruins. But, like a #1 goaltender does, he has been keeping his team in games and giving them a chance to win. 2.55 / .914 sounds pretty good right now.

Missing camp didn't help Swayman and he could be feeling the comforts of his new large, shiny contract. Whatever the excuse is, he should be one of the guys on the ice the team can depend on to make a difference and he simply hasn't been one. I think he's too good to keep playing like this but right now, he's one of the big problems.

correct swayman has been dogshit. Like I said the only game he looked like the real swayman was the 2-1 win against a solid Kings team.

 

[goldenblack]

Agreed- there is a long way to go. He's not been great, and that contract today is looking like a pile of poo, but lots of time for it to change. I was one who never thought he was worth that kind of deal (few goalies ever are) but it's kind of soon to call it a Rick DiPietro situation.

No serious person believes that that is the case 20 games in.

It has the POTENTIAL to be one of the worst contracts in team history. I think we'd all be insane to root for that however. That's a special kind of warped.

 

[Dr Hook]

No serious person believes that that is the case 20 games in.

It has the POTENTIAL to be one of the worst contracts in team history. I think we'd all be insane to root for that however. That's a special kind of warped.

We do seem to have our share on non-serious people on this board

 

[Midship]

3.47GAA and .884SV% on the season. Softy Swayman not gonna get a chance to show the team his acoustic rendition of Cochise in the locker room pre playoff game at this rate.

 

[hrdpuk]

Sway will be fine and I don't get calling him out for getting the best deal he could . Swayand and his agent palyed the cards they were dealt and played them well .

 

[DaStinger]

I don't buy the no training camp. Maybe at season's start but we are way beyond the 3-4 games of training camp.

 

[GordonHowe]

Is missing training camp to blame for Jeremy Swayman’s poor start this season?

Jeremy Swayman's absence during training camp has loomed large amid the goalie's struggles so far in 2024-25.

www.boston.com

 

[Absurdity]

I don't buy the no training camp. Maybe at season's start but we are way beyond the 3-4 games of training camp.

It affected Nylander when he held out until December, and he has said as much as so. If it can affect a forward, it is 100% going to affect a goaltender who is not facing shots from NHL players on a daily basis during training camp. He said he skated with I think Boston College during training camp, but the speed and skill at the College level is nowhere close to the NHL.

Swayman's poor start is on him and Bruins' management for fumbling contract negotiations.

 

[DaStinger]

It affected Nylander when he held out until December, and he has said as much as so. If it can affect a forward, it is 100% going to affect a goaltender who is not facing shots from NHL players on a daily basis during training camp. He said he skated with I think Boston College during training camp, but the speed and skill at the College level is nowhere close to the NHL.

Swayman's poor start is on him and Bruins' management for fumbling contract negotiations.

But he's had NHL competition for over a month now, more than training camp would of alloted. He should be up to speed.

 

[Absurdity]

But he's had NHL competition for over a month now, more than training camp would of alloted. He should be up to speed.

He has faced 405 shots in 14 games. It would be nice if he faced the majority of those shots prior to the season starting. He may be up to speed by December.

Again I have mentioned it here, Swayman and management deserve the blame for carrying negotiations until the start of the season, but I don't think anyone should be surprised with his slow start. No one expected the Bruins to have two Vezina-level goaltenders ready to go to the start the year that have bailed them out in years past. No one also expected the Bruins' defense to be worse than traffic cones either which is compounding Swayman's poor performance thus far.

 

[KrejciMVP]

Giving up the most g

Sway will be fine and I don't get calling him out for getting the best deal he could . Swayand and his agent palyed the cards they were dealt and played them well .

I'll give him that. A backup goalie basically was able to get 66 million from Jeremy jacobs..that part is commendable

 

[Dr Hook]

He has faced 405 shots in 14 games. It would be nice if he faced the majority of those shots prior to the season starting. He may be up to speed by December.

Again I have mentioned it here, Swayman and management deserve the blame for carrying negotiations until the start of the season, but I don't think anyone should be surprised with his slow start. No one expected the Bruins to have two Vezina-level goaltenders ready to go to the start the year that have bailed them out in years past. No one also expected the Bruins' defense to be worse than traffic cones either which is compounding Swayman's poor performance thus far.

I am not getting the argument here-if he had come into camp, how many shots would he have faced? He'd have started 3 or 4 or split time, but Bussi and DiPietro would also have played. 14 NHL starts is more than enough if a few starts in the pre-season would have done the trick. Otherwise, every starter in the NHL would not be ready to go until they've have 15-20 starts and that isn't the case.

 

[Absurdity]

I am not getting the argument here-if he had come into camp, how many shots would he have faced? He'd have started 3 or 4 or split time, but Bussi and DiPietro would also have played. 14 NHL starts is more than enough if a few starts in the pre-season would have done the trick. Otherwise, every starter in the NHL would not be ready to go until they've have 15-20 starts and that isn't the case.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/826406/2019/05/01/william-nylanders-lost-season-the-story-behind-the-negotiations-that-derailed-the-leafs-young-star/

It's not just about shots, but getting used to game speed, conditioning, working on technique, etc.

 

[CDJ]

It’s not just about missing the camp time- not having camp can impact your performance in a negative way when you do return, and that can in turn start to impact one’s confidence in their own abilities which in turn leads to further shaky play

So by now he’s made up the reps he’s missed but he’s rattled. Hopefully he remembers the kind of goalie he can be soon.