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4 Bruins on Thin Ice Heading Into December

The Boston Bruins have failed to reach expectations throughout the 2024-25 NHL season, resulting in these four players skating into December on thin ice.

By Devon Platana

Boston Bruins center Charlie Coyle (13) prepares for a face-off against the Washington Capitals during the first period at Capital One Arena.
Boston Bruins center Charlie Coyle (13) prepares for a face-off against the Washington Capitals during the first period at Capital One Arena. / Hannah Foslien-Imagn Images
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2. Jeremy Swayman, G

Jeremy Swayman became the Bruins' de facto No. 1 starting goaltender the moment that fellow netminder Linus Ullmark was traded to the Ottawa Senators in June. The only issue was that Swayman was a restricted free agent and opted to go through a contract holdout until Boston awarded him his desired deal — an eight-year, $66 million contract signed days before the regular season began.

As good as Swayman has looked in the past, he's failed to live up to his pricetag so far. With only seven quality starts through his first 15 starts, the 26-year-old puck-stopper has gone 6-7-2 with a .887 save percentage, 3.30 goals-against average, and one shutout.

It's becoming clear that missing out on the preseason and training camp is impacting Swayman's performance. The ex-2017 fourth-rounder looks like he's a step behind the competition and is struggling to maintain consistency, proven by the fact that he's finished with a sub-.900 SV% more times this season (8) than he hasn't (7).

If that wasn't bad enough, he also hasn't won consecutive outings since his first two appearances of the campaign.

Considering how he's signed through 2032, Swayman has to figure out how to be the starting presence that the Bruins believe he can be. While I don't see the franchise parting ways with him anytime soon, that doesn't change the fact that he has to step up if he wants to continue seeing the brunt of opportunities.

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