New Jersey Devils: 5 Goalies To Trade For Not Named John Gibson
By Nick Villano
Jeremy Swayman – Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are in the unenviable position of having very little salary cap space while having to figure out major holes in the lineup. They might not have the luxury of holding two fantastic goalies. Linus Ullmark was literally the Vezina Trophy winner this past season. He’s signed for two more seasons at $5 million.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Swayman just filed for salary arbitration. While Ullmark was ranked as the best goalie in hockey, Swayman was just as fantastic. He had a .920 save percentage in 33 starts. In those starts, he had six regulation losses. His 11.6 goals saved above average was 13th in the league at 5v5. Every player above him had more starts.
Swayman might be the perfect subject for the Devils. He’s going to get a raise. The Bruins might not be able to give it to him if Patrice Bergeron comes back.
The Devils would likely have to pay a premium to bring Swayman to New Jersey. The Bruins know the Devils are now a target for their quest to win the Stanley Cup. Despite making some smaller trades (they just did the Reilly Smith for Shane Bowers swap a few weeks ago), making a trade this big is probably not in the cards for either team. Still, Tom Fitzgerald should ask.