I don't think so. I think we're likely looking at a Ullmark/Vladar tandem to start the year for asset management purposes since Swayman is exempt from waivers while Vladar is not. They can re-evaluate as performance dictates. When Rask is healthy, they can make a decision on him as well.Huh.
I have to wonder if this signifies a trade coming for one of the young goalies. Ullmark could have gotten a starting job somewhere, I imagine.
Bruins are not going to be hamstrung by Swayman "earning" anything.I don’t get this at all. Swayman earned the right to at least be the NHL backup this year.
And Andrew Raycroft and Blaine Lacher.I think we need to pump the breaks a little bit with Swayman. He was outstanding last year but he's only played 19 games outside of college. Young goalies can be fickle. Look at Carter Hart. There's nothing wrong with letting Swayman continue developing in the AHL. If he forces his way here, they can easily accommodate him.
My original thought at seeing 4x$5m was Rask may be done, but he very easily could come back late in the season.If Swayman sucks next year, Tuukka has a very easy path back to Boston.
This is why i like this deal. It's a bit of a possible overpay, but if he is that good behind the suck that was Buffalo, he should be much better here and this could end up being a great deal. Sweeney's had a good day IMHO.Some numbers on Ullmark. He's been very good on a really bad team.
View: https://twitter.com/_TyAnderson/status/1420500368216236047?s=20
I'd say change the Tuukka 2023 deal to 2 yr/$3MM. Otherwise, I see the next few years unfolding exactly according to the scenario that you've laid out.Tuukka has made it clear he doesnt want to play anywhere but Boston (why doesnt this man get more love in this fucking city?) My ideal situation would be:
Tuukka takes the year to get completely right. Swayman plays great in his 25ish games. Bruins trade Swayman at the end of the '22 season and cash in on him before he makes starting goalie money. Tuukka is healthy for the 2023 season and signs a 2 for 2.5m contract to prove his health. Bruins get a 1A/1B goalie tandem where they can ride the hot hand, but also keep bodies fresh for playoffs.
Bruins win the next 3 Stanley Cups, then Patrice Bergeron signs a 1 season, 15m contract with MTL. He carries them to the playoffs and squares up against the Bruins in round one at the Garden. Patrice lines up at center ice to take the games first drop against perennial allstar and new Bruin captain Jack Eichel. As the boos reign down on Bergeron, the puck drops...and neither center goes for the faceoff. Bergeron drops his stick, tears off his jersey, and...OH MY GOD! ITS A BRUINS JERSEY!!1! THE CROWD IS GOING CRAZY!!! Bergeron kicks Gallagher in the stomach, Eichel skates over and grabs him by the head...STUNNER! STONE COLD STUNNER!!!!
Let Rask heal up, trade Swayman, roll out a Ullmark/Rask duo for a few seasons.