Jeremy Swayman's move is not currently on the Bruins' radar

The Boston Bruins still have three preseason games left to sign Jeremy Swayman before the regular season opener on October 8th. Whether that happens remains to be seen.

The idea of ​​a trade, as unimaginable as it may be, was discussed by Elliotte Friedman in “32 Thoughts” last week. However, this much is clear: The Bruins are unwilling to trade Swayman, even if they find themselves in a contractual stalemate.

Three reasons:

1. The Bruins need him.

Joonas Korpisalo has made a good impression in two pre-season starts. The former Ottawa Senator stopped 37 of 40 shots in the Bruins' 3-2 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.

“Really good. Really good,” coach Jim Montgomery told reporters in Philadelphia. “He reads the piece quickly. He comes across in the seam plays. He comes out of the top of the crease and doesn't give people much to look at. They hit him directly in the stomach or they shoot up. Because with his size, he doesn’t show much on the net.”

Brandon Bussi, meanwhile, has room to grow.

The 26-year-old had problems in his two starts in pre-season. He struggled to find pucks efficiently in traffic, was late to his spots and allowed rebounds. Additionally, he placed pucks in dangerous areas.

Even if Korpisalo is ready for the opener against the Florida Panthers, it is unknown how long he will be able to stay in net. Bussi has yet to make an NHL appearance.

The Bruins have a relaxed start to the regular season, with no back-to-back games in October and a manageable travel schedule. But driving on Korpisalo for most of the month may go against their preferences.

Swayman's postseason performances against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers signaled that he is ready to become an elite NHL goaltender. Korpisalo described Swayman as “the total package.” It's a perfect description. Swayman has it all: hockey sense, competitiveness, technique, size, athleticism. At 25 years old, Swayman was expected to be the Bruins' goaltending solution for the next eight seasons.

And maybe beyond.

2. The Bruins would set the trade price sky high.

The Bruins secured a 2024 first-round pick, Korpisalo and Mark Kastelic for Linus Ullmark. The 2023 Vezina Trophy winner was 30 years old at the time of the trade. His contract runs for another year.

The Bruins would like far more for Swayman, even if he doesn't have a contract. He is six years younger than his former partner and has been under the team's control for another two seasons. Swayman's best years are yet to come.

Not many goalies like Swayman get traded. Perhaps the closest comparison would be when the Vancouver Canucks transferred the then 27-year-old Cory Schneider to the New Jersey Devils in June 2013. The Marblehead native had been Roberto Luongo's understudy for three seasons.

The prize: No. 9 in the 2013 draft. The Canucks selected Bo Horvat, their future captain.

Even that wouldn't be enough for the Bruins. As part of the return, they would need an NHL goaltender.

3. The taking over team would be in the same position as the Bruins.

You could argue that the Utah Hockey Club would stand up for Swayman. He is better than Karel Vejmelka and Connor Ingram.

However, according to CapWages, Utah has a cap space of just over $9 million. According to Sportsnet, Swayman wants to receive the same salary as Charlie McAvoy, who makes $9.5 million annually.

If Swayman hasn't signed a contract with the Bruins for so long, it's unlikely he'll budge on his demand after the trade. It is not designed to make compromises, even with another club. A taking over team like Utah would have to pay Swayman's price, which could require Utah to defer salary.

That way, Utah would pay twice: first on the trade market, then on the dotted line.

Conclusion

Swayman wants to be a Bruin. The feeling is mutual. The negotiations will therefore continue, as difficult as the process has been so far.

(Photo: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)