Swayman Signs, What Does This Mean for Opener vs. Panthers?

The Boston Bruins signed star goaltender Jeremy Swayman to an eight year, $66 million deal days before their season opener against the Florida Panthers.

Photo courtesy of ESPN

The Boston Bruins were dangerously close to entering Tuesday night’s opener against the Florida Panthers without star goaltender Jeremy Swayman, but the contract holdout finally came to an end on Sunday.

Just over 24 hours before the NHL’s deadline to submit opening-night rosters Swayman inked an eight-year deal worth $8.25 million per season to remain with Boston.

The saga between the Bruins and the restricted free-agent goaltender got messy recently.

Boston president Cam Neely called out Swayman, saying that there were “64 million reasons” to sign the contract and get back on the ice while coach Jim Montgomery hinted at back-up Joonas Korpisalo getting the start against the Panthers on Tuesday.

Swayman’s agent Lewis Gross retorted in a statement that the reference to “64 million” in that press conference was the first time they ever heard that number referenced in negotiations.

At the end of the day, Swayman walked away with $66 million.

Bruins general manager Don Sweeney indicated that Korpisalo will remain the starter for Tuesday night’s opener after Swayman missed the entirety of camp during the holdout, but the Panthers will have to run into him eventually.

Swayman played at an elite level for Boston last year, going 25-10-8 with a .916 SV% and a 2.53 GAA. He elevated that level of play in the playoffs even further, going 6-6 with a .933 SV% and a 2.15 GAA before getting eliminated by Florida in the second round.

The 25-year-old is 1-1-1 with a .875 SV% and a 3.69 GAA in three career regular season starts against the Panthers.

This is a developing story that will be updated when new information becomes available.