Boston Might Have to Trade Crucial Team Members to Retain Swayman
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Dorin Canaday
April 27, 2023 (0:44)
Clearly not a pressing concern for him yet, Don Sweeney faces a significant choice about Boston's goaltending future, particularly in relation to Jeremy Swayman.
At the age of 24, Swayman will become a restricted free agent when the season concludes, and the Bruins will possess two goalies worthy of being NHL starters.
Restricted Room for Multiple Athletes
Swayman, Trent Frederic, and Jakub Lauko are all set to be RFAs. Additionally, eight players will be UFAs, featuring notable names like Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, and recent arrivals Dmitry Orlov and Tyler Bertuzzi.
Must read on Bruins Latest
As Adam Gretz pointed out in a recent Bleacher Report article, the team might have to decide between their two outstanding goaltenders.
''The big question with the Bruins is going to be what they do with goalie Jeremy Swayman. Swayman is a pending restricted free agent and will be due a significant raise. He and Linus Ullmark have formed one of the best goalie duos in the league this season, and the Bruins would no doubt love to keep that going.''
‘'But Swayman will not be cheap. Ullmark already makes $5 million, and they have limited cap space to fill out the rest of their roster. It all comes down to how much the Bruins want to invest in their goalie duo and what sacrifices they want to make elsewhere on the roster.''
Numerous athletes have been deemed "transferable" for the Bruins during this offseason, and as Fluto Shinzawa from The Athletic mentioned, the team might face some difficult farewells.
''The Bruins would most likely have to move money. Grzelcyk and Forbort may be in play in this scenario as well. The Bruins may also have to consider the future of Hall, who is under contract through 2025 at $6 million annually. Hall, 31, has partial no-trade protection.''
An alternative approach would be to trade Ullmark if the plan is to have Swayman as the future goaltender. Ullmark's value may never be as elevated as it is currently, especially with a potential Vezina Trophy on the horizon.
Letting go of any of these athletes would be tough, but it's a reality that comes with the commercial aspects of sports.
Ideally, the Bruins would prefer to retain both Ullmark and Swayman; however, the league's most cherished duo might need to part ways. Although both goalies deserve to be NHL starters, maintaining the pair in Boston could prove too costly.
Previously on Bruins Latest
| POLL |
27 AVRIL | 137 ANSWERS Boston Might Have to Trade Crucial Team Members to Retain Swayman If they had to choose, which goalie should the Bruins keep? |
| Linus Ullmark | 45 | 32.8 % |
| Jeremy Swayman | 92 | 67.2 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
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