Utah HC Adds Jeremy Swayman Could Be Game Changer – Hockey Writers – Utah Hockey Club

Boston Bruins goalkeeper Jeremy Swayman is in contention for a contract to continue playing with the team he has played for the past four seasons. Per According to Daily Faceoff insider Frank Seravalli, the Bruins have offered Young a restricted free agent (RFA) an eight-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $7.8 million. Swayman's camp is set mostly at $8.5M AAV.

Related: 3 Potential Trade Destinations for Goaltender Jeremy Swayman

The Bruins started negotiations with a $6.5 million offer and have raised it to $7.8 million. They feel it's time for Swayman's agent to move a little closer to the number they want. So, the two camps are locking horns, and Swayman is sitting idle with the season opener set for Oct. 8 against the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

Trade Rumors Will Never Help A Team

A key player in rumors as a trade candidate is hurting the team's locker room situation. Such are the rumours. Just look at what the exodus talk did to the Arizona Coyotes, who went on a 14-game losing streak while rumors swirled that they were leaving the nation.

Even as the Bruins settle their contract dispute with Swayman, has his pride been hurt enough to ask for a trade to Boston? Maybe. Each side seems to be playing “chicken” to agree on their plan. In the end, it hurts the team, but things can turn out well when Swayman gets the contract he wants—even if it's with another team.

Utah Looks Like a Perfect Fit for Swayman

When one examines the previous Arizona Coyotes team, it is clear that they could use better goaltending. They ranked 25th last season in goals against, with 3.34 goals allowed per game. Their guilt is not the problem. They scored 3.10 goals per game, ranking 17th.

Connor Ingram played in 50 games last season, amassing a 23-21-3 record. He had a .907 save percentage (SV%) and a 2.91 goals against average (GAA.) Karel Vejmelka, as a backup, participated in 38 games, posting a 13-19-2 record. He had a .895 SV% and a 3.35 GAA.

If Swayman continues in the trade area, the Utah Hockey Club should be very interested in adding his services. His stats reflect an impressive career, with 132 games and a record of 125-79-33. He has a very good .919 SV%, and a 2.34 GAA. Swayman also has 12 shutouts to add to his resume.

If it's all about the money (when?), then Swayman might pay the money from Utah, which has $9.9 million in cap space. They could sign Swayman to that long of a deal and trade for Vejmelka ($2.725M) and maybe an outfielder like Michael Carcone ($775,000). A draft pick may be needed to sweeten the deal, but the money is about the same as Swayman's current $3.475 million contract. That would leave the Bruins with Joonas Korpisalo and Vejmelka in contention for the starting spot.

This would keep the Bruins' cap hit stable at $7.86 million and force them to waive a player to have enough to give Swayman the contract he wants. Would Swayman accept an offer to Utah? He is an RFA, which does not grant him the right to the no-trade list. That can be discussed in his next contract as he will not turn 26 until November 24th.

We Should Know Soon Which Path Swayman Takes

He might re-sign in Boston, but that's not a guarantee. Sometimes, contract disagreements leave a bad taste in a player's mouth. The thing about Swayman is that he doesn't have the bargaining power of an RFA. Another option would be for a team like Utah to tender him an offer sheet. Although unlikely, it happened this season when St. Louis Blues tendered both Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg offers and the Edmonton Oilers couldn't match them.

In any case, this needs to be resolved immediately.

With Swayman in net, UHC will be a Playoff team

There's no doubt that Utah owner Ryan Smith wants to keep his hockey team competitive until they get a chance to play in the postseason. Swayman, who signed an eight-year contract, will draw fans to the building and strengthen the chances of the new team becoming a playoff team soon.

Is it possible? That may be down to the knowledge and experience of general manager Bill Armstrong and head coach Andre Tourigny. They know the weaknesses and strengths of this group. Adding a goaltender like Swayman and using Ingram as a backup might not match what Boston had with the Linus Ullmark/Jeremy Swayman puck-stopping machine, but it's pretty close.