Bruins head coach hasn't ruled out Jeremy Swayman starting season opener
Newly signed Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman could potentially start in net when they open their season against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena on Tuesday night.
The 25-year-old practiced on Monday for the first time since he signed an eight-year, $66 million deal on Sunday. Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery said last week that Joonas Korpisalo would start in goal for the season opener. He’s changed his tone since Swayman has signed his new deal.
“He’s a potential goalie tomorrow night,” Montgomery said. “We’re undecided.”
Whether or not Swayman starts on Tuesday, he will be relied upon as the team’s No. 1 goalie for the first time in his career. Over the last couple of seasons, he has split time with Linus Ullmark, whom the B’s dealt to Ottawa in June, paving the way for Swayman to be the team’s full-time starter.
“I feel ready to play,” Swayman said to reporters. “I put myself in that position. I have had a great trainer over at BU during this training camp. I feel like I’ve put myself in a really good position to be ready to perform when I get my name called.”
He is hopeful that he will get the chance to play on Tuesday for the season opener.
“I hope so,” he said, with a laugh. “I would love that. It’s up to the coaching staff. I trust them completely,” he said. “If they feel like I’m ready, they know I am.”
The Bruins could be doing a bit of gamesmanship with the Panthers with the Swayman rumors; the team is happy he is back between the pipes.
“It’s good to have him back,” forward David Pastrnak said. “I’m sure it wasn’t an easy process for him missing out so much, so it’s good to have him back.”
