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Bruins RFA Swayman not worried about contract negotiations: “It will work out”
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Bruins RFA Swayman not worried about contract negotiations: “It will work out”

Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman is currently a restricted free agent and may be one of the few people in Boston who isn’t worried about not getting a new contract a month before training camp.

“There’s a lot of confidence that it’s going to work out,” he said in an interview with NESN. “I say that because I’ve approached it like I normally do this year. … I’ve been working out with our guys, our staff, our players, and I know there’s something special developing in that locker room this year.”

“I couldn’t be more excited about it. I know it will take care of itself with time and the only thing I can control is becoming a better goalie for the Boston Bruins this year. That’s what I’m focused on. It’s going to work out. I couldn’t be happier to be a Bruin.”

Boston currently has a projected salary cap of around $8.6 million, according to PuckPedia, and Swayman is the club’s only notable player who hasn’t been signed yet. Evolving-Hockey projects that he will sign a four-year deal with a salary cap of $6.253 million, which would handsomely reward the Alaskan for his stellar 2023-24 season.

Swayman shared goal with 2023 Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark during the regular season, posting a 25-10-8 record with a .916 save percentage and a 2.53 goals-against average in 44 appearances.

However, the 25-year-old took over in the playoffs, posting an impressive .933 save percentage and 2.15 goals-against average in 12 games en route to Boston’s second-round exit. Swayman finished second among all goalies in goals saved above average (9.61) and goals above expected (11.64) across all strengths during the postseason, trailing only Igor Shesterkin in both categories.

The Bruins opened the door for Swayman to become the true No. 1 pick after trading Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators in June.

Swayman played last season on a one-year, $3.475 million contract after going through arbitration last offseason. Boston paid $2 million while Swayman’s camp brought in $4.8 million.

He could have entered arbitration again this summer, but decided not to. Last August, Swayman said he would never again enter into contract negotiations with third parties.

The Bruins have been busy this offseason despite not having their starting goalie signed. They added forward Elias Lindholm and defenseman Nikita Zadorov on July 1, and Swayman was excited about both additions.

“There’s a tremendous momentum building in our locker room right now. … I know that anyone who comes into this locker room will embrace the culture we’ve built,” he said.

Swayman added: “There are many great things to come.”

Swayman was selected in the fourth round by the Bruins in 2017 and has a career save percentage of .919 and 79 wins in 132 games.

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