Bruins fans might have become worried when Jeremy Swayman’s contract situation was dragged out, but the same can’t be said for players in Boston’s locker room.
Swayman was away from his teammates for a good chunk of the negotiating process with Don Sweeney and company, but the star goaltender stayed in touch with his peers. Swayman ultimately reunited with the Bruins on Sunday when he finalized an eight-year contract with the Original Six franchise, and he returned to practice the following day in Florida.
Speaking with the media after the training session, Swayman shed light on the reassurance he received from teammates while his contract status still was up in the air.
“I was talking to them throughout the process…they all said, ‘As soon as you return it’s gonna be like nothing. It’s gonna be a seamless transition.’ That’s exactly what it was,” Swayman told reporters, per the team.
Swayman did his best to stay sharp while away from the team, working out at nearby Boston University where former Bruins assistant Jay Pandolfo coaches the men’s hockey team. The work didn’t go unnoticed by Jim Montgomery and his staff, as Swayman potentially could start Tuesday night despite not playing in the preseason.
But even if Swayman doesn’t receive the nod for the season opener against the Panthers, it sounds like the Black and Gold faithful won’t have to wait very long to see the newly paid netminder back in between the pipes.