NHL: Montreal Canadiens at Boston Bruins - Source: Imagn — Jeremy Swayman makes his feelings known on ex-Bruin Linus Ullmark's $33M Senators contract

Jeremy Swayman makes his feelings known on ex-Bruin Linus Ullmark's $33M Senators contract

Modified Oct 11, 2024 15:27 GMT

Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark were once teammates. The Boston Bruins opted to trade Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators to pave the way for Swayman to take the reins. Both have now signed lucrative contract extensions with their teams for $8.25 million AAV.

After a 6-4 season-opening win over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night, the goalie reflected on the fact that he and his former teammate signed big deals at relatively the same time. Swayman went from holding out to contributing to a big win.

He said about Ullmark (1:23):

"It’s incredible. It’s a goalie union. We all know how hard it is to win games in this league and to see guys get rewarded that way, it’s just awesome to see. Both those guys work extremely hard and couldn’t be happier for them and their teams.”

Ullmark was sent to the Senators, giving Swayman the chance to start. The Bruins began trying to extend him, but they hit a bump in the road there. Suddenly, it seemed as if Boston might have an issue in goal without Ullmark and with Swayman holding out.

Eventually, Ullmark signed a $33 million contract with Ottawa, and Swayman agreed to an eight-year, $66 million deal before the regular season began earlier this week.

Jeremy Swayman opens up on return to Boston lineup

Jeremy Swayman was treated to a lovely welcome when he skated out onto the ice ahead of the Boston Bruins matchup with the Montreal Canadiens. The fans serenaded him after he signed the contract extension to stay for the better part of the decade.

Jeremy Swayman received a loving welcome from Bruins fans (Imagn)

He said after the game (via NBC Sports Boston):

"It was pretty emotional, that warm welcome. It just shows what kind of fanbase we have here, knowing it's more than a player, it's a human being they care about. I got pretty emotional stepping on the ice and hearing that roar again."

Swayman added that he is "grateful to be a part of this city, a part of this team." He said moments like the one he had pregame are what make everything worth the struggle. Swayman will be back in action tomorrow against the Los Angeles Kings.