The Boston Bruins opted not to elect for salary arbitration with goaltender Jeremy Swayman, leaving themselves vulnerable to a potential offer sheet, as Swayman also declined to elect arbitration. With $8.6 million in cap space, the Bruins are managing their lone restricted free agent amid potential threats from other teams.
A hypothetical offer sheet for Swayman would likely fall into the ‘Tier Five’ range, necessitating a salary between $6.87 million and $9.16 million. Should another team extend such an offer and Boston decline to match, they would receive that team’s upcoming first, second, and third-round draft picks, provided these picks aren’t already committed elsewhere. Despite Boston’s likely willingness to match high offers, nearing the upper limit could strain their upcoming season’s salary cap.
CapFriendly identifies several teams capable of offering Swayman in this range: the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, and Seattle Kraken. However, teams like Buffalo and Detroit are unlikely contenders due to restricted cap space following other contractual obligations, while Nashville and the Islanders boast established goaltenders at the NHL level. Similarly, Philadelphia and Seattle lack sufficient cap space to present a substantial challenge to Boston.
A revival of one of hockey’s premier rivalries presents an intriguing scenario: the Montreal Canadiens. With around $10 million in cap space and just two restricted free agents remaining, Montreal has the financial capacity to entertain such a move. The Canadiens have a history of bold offer sheets, notably their successful bid for Sebastian Aho, subsequently matched by the Carolina Hurricanes.
Montreal could further clear cap space by trading Christian Dvorak and Joel Armia without receiving players in return, potentially freeing up nearly $8 million and paving the way for younger talents to step into roster spots. Despite the manageable cost in draft picks, including a conditional first-rounder from Calgary in 2025, Pittsburgh’s second-rounder in the same year, a conditional third-rounder from New Jersey, and Vancouver’s third-rounder, Montreal would maintain significant draft capital even after relinquishing their 2025 first, second, and third-round selections.
Yet, the primary obstacle remains current starting goaltender Sam Montembeault. While not delivering standout numbers last season with a .903 save percentage and 3.14 goals-against average over 40 starts, Montreal demonstrated faith in Montembeault by signing him to a three-year, $9.45 million extension in December 2023. However, Swayman’s superior statistics speak volumes: an impressive .919 save percentage, 2.34 goals-against average, and an 79-33-15 record in 125 starts, suggesting he could elevate Montreal’s goaltending significantly.
Montreal faces a pivotal decision whether to pursue an offer sheet for Jeremy Swayman, weighing potential benefits against the ramifications for their current goaltending setup. The Canadiens’ ability to maneuver under the salary cap and their history of bold moves make them a compelling candidate to reignite competitive tensions with Boston, underscoring the strategic complexities and potential rewards in NHL roster management.
