The Boston Bruins kicked off NHL free agency with major signings, securing top-six center Elias Lindholm for seven years at $54.25 million and top-four defenseman Nikita Zadorov for six years at $30 million shortly after the market opened on Monday.
Entering free agency, the Bruins had approximately $21.67 million in salary cap space, which now stands at around $10.2 million. A significant portion of this remaining cap space is expected to be allocated to goaltender Jeremy Swayman, who needs a new contract as a restricted free agent.
It would be wise for the Bruins to maintain some cap space heading into the regular season to accommodate potential moves in case of injuries or underperformance. Although more changes could happen before training camp in September, substantial alterations seem unlikely.
What’s next for the Bruins after their strong start to free agency? The major question is:
When will Jeremy Swayman sign, and for how much?
Swayman, a restricted free agent, remains unsigned. However, General Manager Don Sweeney emphasized on Monday that securing an extension with their top goaltender is a top priority.
“Sway is a big part of this whole dynamic of what we’re trying to put together,” Sweeney said. “It’s a priority for us. We’re going to continue to find a negotiated landing spot, and the timing is what it is, however long that takes. It’s not impacted by what we did today. We’re in a great spot to find, as I said, the best negotiated deal we can find for both sides.”
Next season, five goaltenders will have a salary cap hit above $6.4 million, according to CapFriendly. This group has collectively won six Vezina Trophies and three Stanley Cup titles. While Swayman does not have similar accolades, he has proven to be an outstanding goaltender over his first three full NHL seasons, including an impressive performance in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The ideal scenario for the Bruins is securing a long-term extension with Swayman, even if it means a cap hit between $7-8 million. At 25 years old, he is one of the league’s top 10 goalies and could be the team’s cornerstone for the next decade.
Although there is no immediate rush or urgent deadline, eventually, both sides will need to reach an agreement.
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