Jim Montgomery has ‘no doubt’ Jeremy Swayman will be with Bruins by training camp
"Him and I had a great conversation about leading, becoming a leader as part of the Bruins."
Jeremy Swayman’s contract status remains up in the air as he and the Bruins continue working towards a long-term extension almost two months into free agency.
Despite the uncertainty about a new deal for the All-Star goaltender, Boston’s bench boss is confident he’ll see Swayman in a black and gold sweater come training camp.
Speaking in Maine as part of the Bruins “Fan Fest” on Friday, coach Jim Montgomery was asked about Swayman, and spoke candidly and positively on the situation. Swayman and Montgomery caught up at Bruins legend Ray Bourque’s golf tournament a day prior.
“Him and I had a great conversation about leading, becoming a leader as part of the Bruins,” Montgomery said. “I don’t have anything to do with the contract situation. That’s not part of my job detail. My job is my connection with the players, and how we’re going to be good this year. And I have no doubt Jeremy Swayman will be a Bruin at the start of camp, and we’ll be ready to go.”
Swayman and Linus Ullmark made up arguably the NHL’s best tandem over the last two seasons. Ullmark won the Vezina trophy as the league’s top netminder in 2022-23, but Swayman overtook Ullmark as Boston’s No. 1 option between the pipes by the end of the 2023-24 season. Swayman posted a .916 save percentage in 2023-24 and was a key cog in Boston’s playoff run.
Once the Bruins traded Ullmark earlier this offseason, it became clear Swayman was poised to be the Bruins’ every day starter.
The only thing standing in the way of that plan is a contract. But all sides are seemingly on the same page as far as optimism of a pending deal, even though the terms are yet to be agreed upon.
Bruins president Cam Neely emphasized that a deal will get done just a few days ago, and Swayman gave his own vote of confidence before that.
Add in Montgomery’s steady reassurance, and it seems all involved are determined to close a deal by the time training camp opens in mid-September.
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