The Boston Bruins are making waves as they hold onto a wild card spot with just 12 games left in the season. A huge part of their success can be attributed to the stellar goaltending of Jeremy Swayman. It's quite a turnaround, especially considering the trade rumors that swirled around him not too long ago.
Following Linus Ullmark's departure and a rocky 2024-25 season, many questioned if Swayman was the right choice for the Bruins. Trade chatter picked up, and insiders like Elliotte Friedman speculated about potential suitors. Doubts lingered over whether Boston had backed the right goalie.
Fast forward to today, and Swayman has silenced the critics. Since the Olympic break, he's been on fire with a 6-2-1 record and a .930 save percentage.
His season stats-28 wins and a 2.71 goals-against average-highlight his resurgence. Simply put, the Bruins owe much of their current position to his heroics, as he's been a game-changer behind an inconsistent team.
As Joe Haggerty aptly noted, the critics have gone quiet. Swayman is turning away top-tier chances and performing with the same brilliance he showed in the Stanley Cup playoffs a few years back.
But did Swayman get enough support from the team? After a brief contract holdout, the Bruins eventually invested in him, recognizing his ability to shine in crucial moments. As Haggerty pointed out, goalies like him are a rare breed.
Jeff Marek suggests that Swayman's outstanding play has overshadowed some of the team's weaknesses, particularly their lack of depth at center. Nikita Zadorov praised Swayman, calling him the team's best player this year.
Living up to his $8.25 million cap hit, Swayman has proven his worth. The real question now is whether the Bruins should have bolstered the roster to give him more support.