Bruins Player Profile: Jeremy Swayman
Jeremy Swayman is back. The goalie Boston signed an 8-year deal and then watch have a terrible season, has returned to form. There’s something quietly dangerous about consistency. Flashy highlight saves grab attention, but what wins games night after night is composure — the kind of composure that Swayman has steadily regained this season.
After a rough 2024-25 campaign, where he struggled under a heavy workload and posted a career-low .892 save percentage, many wondered whether the net had become too heavy for “Sway”. This season tells a different story: in 16 appearances, Swayman owns an 11-6-0 record, with a 2.62 goals-against average (GAA) and a .915 save percentage (SV%). His 19.4 rating of Goals Saved Above Expected is tops in the league.
Calm Control
A .915 SV% isn’t elite, but it’s solid. For a club like the Bruins, built on structure, defensive responsibility, and tight systems, that kind of consistency restores confidence. Defensemen can challenge, forwards can commit, and the coaching staff can rely on tactical execution without fear of ticking bombs behind the net.
Swayman’s rebound control, crease positioning, and net calm have visibly improved. He isn’t flopping across the crease — he’s playing smaller, staying square, and steering shots away from danger. That change alone tightens Boston’s overall defensive game. Just ask the Detroit Red Wings who watched Swayman lock down a 3-2 Shootout W for the Bruins Saturday night. What’s most encouraging is how he has been handling adversity. Mistakes don’t cascade into panic. Soft goals don’t break him. He resets and stays engaged. “Just excited to be part of it.” Swayman said after Saturday’s win. “I couldn’t be happier to be a Bruin, couldn’t be happier to be part of this team, playing in this league. That gratitude really overwhelms me. I like to play with that gratitude and that happiness. Good things happen.”
Backbone
Here’s the truth: past seasons, including 2024-25, cast Swayman as a “what-if.” Maybe he’d steal games, maybe he’d crack under pressure. But this season suggests something else — that he’s no longer a gamble. If Boston leans into him as their primary guy, they get reliable backbone. Sure, he won’t stop every close-range snipe but give him a defensively disciplined team in front of him, and he gives you consistency. “It’s huge. You guys feel it, the fans, everyone, upstairs, we feel it. And most importantly, our players feel it,” Sturm said. “It’s such a good feeling when you have that. All year long, since day one I met him, he’s been rock solid off the ice and on the ice.”
In a division where games get tight and playoff positioning matters, that steady back end could be the difference between a 9th place finish and a wild card spot.
Friendly Competition
It’s become abundantly clear that Swayman needs some in-team competition in the crease. Last season, the Bruins continued to turn to Swayman in hopes he would save the ship from sinking. It only made the team take on more water. Blow out losses and extended losing streaks did them in while a very capable Joonas Korpisalo watched most games from the bench. This season, and after some public displeasure from Korpisalo, the goalies are closer in games played. Swayman has lost starts to Korpisalo on consecutive nights, and he has in turn responded with better games. “I think confidence is the biggest thing for a goalie,” Swayman said. “Just confidence – knowing that you are going to be square to the shot, reactionary and wherever it goes, you’ve got to be in front of it.” Sturm has found another button that has the team securing wins.
Bottom Line
December has arrived, and the Bruins are in a playoff spot. Swayman keeps them in every game, he gives them a chance. Boston is already thin on talent and with the rash of injuries to star players Charlie McAvoy and now David Pastrnak, the Bruins can thank their former All Star netminder for grinding out some wins. With the Winter Olympics teams being announced this month, Swayman also has the motivation to be named to Team USA. At 11-6-0, 2.62 GAA, .915 SV% — the Bruins finally have a netminder they can build around again. He’s back and the Bruins have got to be thankful for that.
G-Rant @TheRealG_Rant/Grant Cumming. Bruins fan. Bigger dreams, bigger screens, bigger feelings are planned.
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