NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Boston Bruins at Florida Panthers - Source: Imagn — NHL insider Elliotte Friedman shared his insight of the temporary replacement for Jeremy Swayman (Credit: IMAGN)

Elliotte Friedman names the goalie he admires and expects to step up for Bruins in Jeremy Swayman's absence

Modified Oct 04, 2024 18:38 GMT

On Friday, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman discussed the Boston Bruins' goaltending situation and Jeremy Swayman's temporary replacement on "32 Thoughts: The Podcast" with co-host Kyle Bukauskas. With the 2024-25 season opener against the Florida Panthers approaching, the Bruins are without a finalized contract for Swayman.

Friedman discussed Brandon Bussi as a young goalie and mentioned Joonas Korpisalo and Jiri Patera.

"I like Bussi; he's a good young goalie. So it's Korpisalo and Brandon Bussey. I really like Bussey," Friedman said, "I think he's a good young goalie. And they've also got Patera, where they took off waivers from the Canucks."

Bussi stopped 13 shots in the Bruins' 4-1 preseason win against the Flyers. He allowed one goal from Travis Konecny in the second period. With Swayman still unsigned, Bussi is getting more chances during training camp.

However, Korpisalo has the best experience if we don't count Swayman. He played 55 games for the Ottawa Senators last season. He holds a record of 21-26-4 with a goals-against average of .890.

Bussi has not yet made his NHL debut but could start the season as the Bruins' backup behind Korpisalo if Swayman remains unsigned.

Swayman has yet to sign his contract. He was awarded $3.475 million in arbitration in August and has until Dec. 1 to sign to be eligible to play this season. In May, Swayman expressed optimism about a long-term deal with the Bruins.

"I'm confident that my agent and I and management will figure out the details this summer," Swayman said, via NHL.com. "I'm looking forward to it."

Swayman had a 2.53 GAA last season and a .916 save percentage in the regular season, and his playoff numbers were even better. Fans expect his next contract to be larger, given his solid performance.

Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney on Jeremy Swayman

Boston Bruins manager Don Sweeney previously commented on the ongoing contract issues with goalie Jeremy Swayman in mid-September.

Sweeney expressed disappointment but was hopeful that a deal would be reached soon.

"He has chosen to wait, and rightfully so, until a contract is settled," Sweeney said, via NHL.com. "It's our intention to continue to negotiate a contract. I'm disappointed that... I haven't been able to do that yet... At the end of the day I'm optimistic because I think we'll find a landing spot before December 1st."

Sweeney also clarified that reports about no contact with Swayman’s camp are incorrect. But there's no concrete insight on when the contract will be inked.