Boston Bruins: With Tuukka Rask, Jaroslav Halak healthy, Jeremy Swayman makes goalie trio

Jeremy Swayman, the 22-year-old 2017 fourth-round pick from the University of Maine, has dazzled in his first NHL action for the Boston Bruins.

Goalie prospects Swayman and Daniel Vladar were called up from the Providence Bruins when injuries sidelined both Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak for several games. But Swayman appears to be here to stay.

More from Chowder and Champions

• 3 Patriots on the Bubble Who Have Clinched Their 53-Man Roster Spots
• 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
• 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
• MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
• 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season

Swayman has lit the league on fire since being called up, allowing less than two goals in all but one start, and going 5-2 in that stretch. There are some quality wins in there, too.

He beat the Bruins-killing Capitals in the second start of his career. He got the blue-and-orange monkey off the Bruins back by shutting the Islanders out, who previously won five of their six matchups against the Bruins. He’s faced the Sabres twice, and while the level of competition probably reminded him of his days at Maine, he still got the wins.

Last night, Swayman held the Penguins to one goal on 29 shots but ended up taking a loss that truly belongs to the Bruins offense.

What is Jeremy Swayman’s future with the Boston Bruins?

With Rask and Halak back in the mix, questions about Swayman’s future and the Bruins goalie situation have arisen. For the time being, head coach Bruce Cassidy can get away with carrying three goalies.

Swayman’s performance speaks for itself. There’s simply no way you can send him back to Providence, considering his level of play as well as the health of Rask and Halak.

Giving Rask and Halak a breather by sliding Swayman into a goalie rotation of sorts as they return from their injuries and ramp up for the playoffs is the perfect approach to the rest of the season. It gives the tandem of Rask and Halak much-needed rest while also giving Swayman NHL experience in practice and in games.

Getting Swayman as much experience as possible this season could pay big dividends next season. Both Rask and Halak’s contracts expire this offseason, leaving Swayman and Vladar as the only goalies guaranteed to be under contract for the 2021-22 season that have NHL experience.

At a minimum, Swayman’s audition on the big-league stage has earned him the backup role for next season, assuming the Bruins address one of the contracts of Rask or Halak.