Swayman

 Boston's goaltending has certainly been a huge part of their success the last few years I think we can all agree on that. But how do we feel this year? Pressure is now huge for Swayman , hope he's up for it . The whole contract thing has been a distraction and the negotiations weren't smooth, now he has to prove he was worth it . Korpisalo was a nightmare in Ottawa and while I don't think he'll be as terrible with the Bruins defense in front of him, he is not No.1 material. A lot riding on Swayman.

Really hope Ullmark does well in Ottawa, it would be good to see what the young Sens can do with some solid goaltending. Stutzle may surprise this year and keep an eye on Greig he has some decent hands and a way of getting under an opponents skin, he's a bit like a Tkachuk lite.

O-Town has certainly been a goalie graveyard eh, Rustie. Let’s hope he’s a decent fit.

How was your summer? Missed Neil in Ottawa as he cancelled out. Would have been 40 years since I first saw him with the International Harvesters at the Ottawa Ex!

Hello Gains, how you doing Buddy ? Hope you had a great off season and are ready to dust off and fire up the Totals Prediction Machine (TPM) pat. pending.

I think the Sens should be a better team this year, with Ullmark in net and the young lads improving, along with new owners and a new arena deal in place things are looking up in the Capital. Although the new location probably means fewer visits by yours truly . It's a tough fight for that 7-8 spot in the East though so it could be a wild and entertaining April . 

Neil cancelling like that was certainly disappointing but to replace him with The Offspring was a WTF moment for me (not even close).

Bon Chance and Good health my friend 

Call me old school but contracts are going the way of the NBA and out of hand... but I think the Swayman deal is b.s.. Let me explain. First, what do you really know about Swayman? The most games he has played in a season is 44 games. What will he be like if he has to play 55-60? Ullmark is not around. The last 3 years, Soros has averaged  65 games per season and only garners 7.5 mil.. He is proven and to me, Swayman is not at this time. I would have rather given him a bridge contract of 2-3 years to prove his worth, then if he does, up that baby to 10 mil. I know this will not be a popular opinion but to me, prove it then earn it. 

I could be totally wrong, but I think Ullmark and the Sens makes noise and the playoffs this year. And the main reason is I would take Ullmark over UPL or Lyon. Sure, Buffalo is on the hot seat but aren't they always. I think the pressure spot is in Detroit. Stevie Y has attempted to build this thing back and it is time to show it. Glad we have people that discuss and not bitch like other forums on this site. Go read some of them..I would just be done with this site, if I had to post in NFL, NBA or even NCAAF. 

I am not too worried about Swayman's performance. He is a real competitive kid and should only continue to improve as he approaches his prime which is not til early thirties for goalies. We will get to see if they can keep his workload manageable...55 games would be optimal.

As far as the contract goes...if you do 8 years you are overpaying now and underpaying late in the deal if you believe you have a true #1 which the Bruins believe they do. He was their original draft pick and investement. That being said...I would have stopped at 8 years at 8 million and not bumped it up like the Bruins did.

Only time will tell if it was the right move. The Bruins were morons to get rid of Ullmark before a deal was in place for Swayman. That was just bad business period and gave all the leverage to Swayman and his agent.

Think we’ve discussed it before here but is the money goalie era kaput, kind of the running back equivalent in NFL? 

I’d be leery about signing anybody, save (pun intended) maybe Shesterkin

It'd be great if Ottowa contends for a playoff spot.  Need more Canadian teams in the playoffs.

I think Swayman is solid.  With the Bruins playing good sound defense, he wi.l be very successful.  I think where I fall off the track, is if he is asked to do more and the B's shake up their core D (like kinda what Carolina did) and retool.  I don't have him in the Vassy or Igor level - those guys can steal you multiple games in a playoff series.

I rate him at above average but he's not elite and shouldn't demand elite pay. There's very few Elite goalies from year to year in my opinion. A lot of it is puck luck and good defense / shot blocking. most goaltenders are mediocre or flat out suck. 

Swayman sure as hell swayed a good deal for himself 

Let's see come April, or indeed June was it worth it 

not elite... 

granted, he does't have the accolades yet... he's (arguably) a top 5 goalie in the league right now. 

i call that elite!

Swayman is definitely in the top tier of netminders IMO , relatively small sample size and workload aside. Whether the Bruins made the right choice now in keeping him over Ullmark remains to be seen. Happy to see Ullmark sign in Ottawa ,some stability in net will certainly improve their playoff chances !

And just a word Osser , I understand we all remember those bad goals that cost us some coin when a goalie fails to make what should have been a routine save, but to say that most goalies flat out suck is just wrong IMO. There is a reason these guys are here and not still playing in a Beer League somewhere. Besides if you say most goalies are "mediocre" then your insinuating that there are actually better goalies out there and maybe Goalie Scouting is something that needs to be addressed? 

I have always had a lot respect for Goalies and follow them a little more so than other aspect of the game . 

Peace