Heading into the 2024-2025 season there are many question marks for each team and a ton of uncertainty. One thing that is for certain is that the turmoil between the Boston Bruins and their star goalie, Jeremy Swayman has not cooled down. Swayman, 25,  is a restricted free agent looking to get a deal done with the Bruins. Last year Swayman put up a career year with a 2.53 GAA and a .916 save percentage through 43 games winning 25 of those. The storyline of last year was the dominance of him and now Ottawa Senator, Linus Ullmark. Ullmark was dealt to the Senators after not being able to sign both goalies to their desired terms. The deal Swayman reportedly is looking for is a long term preferred 8 year deal averaged around 8.5 million AAV. The Bruins want the deal to be around 8 million AAV. The two sides hit a wall in negotiations with the season nearing closer and with GM Cam Neely of the Bruins saying “I have 64 million reasons why I’d be playing now”. Since the season is almost with us the trade rumors and speculation has grown with each day passing. So who are some top contenders for Swayman?

Philadelphia Flyers

Not too far from Boston are the Flyers with a big hole left by once elite goalie Carter Hart after leaving the team dealing with charges brought on him from 2018 while on the Canadian National World Juniors team of alleged sexual assault. But nonetheless they have no serviceable starter for a team that has all the right pieces. Their goalies right now include Ivan Feditov, Samuel Ersson, and Alexi Kolosov. All serviceable goalies and have potential to be starters but nothing to where Swayman is right now. They have a young upcoming defense with guys like Cam York and Jamie Drysdale. And their offense is producing pure talent with the likes of Joel Farabee, Owen Tippet and potential superstar Matvei Michkov. The cap space may be an issue as of this year with only 3.17 million in cap room at the moment but if the Flyers can figure out a way to maneuver around that this could be a perfect fit for Swayman.

Utah Hockey Club

With the introduction of the Utah Hockey Club this season people are quick to dismiss it because of the unsuccessful nature of their former team the Arizona Coyotes and Phoenix Coyotes. But this team has a new identity with new names on the roster most notably Mikhail Sergachev from the Tampa Bay Lightning. They also have a ton of talented prospects and potential superstars with guys like Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther. Their goalie situation is where there are some question marks with their goalies consisting of Connor Ingram and Karel Vejmelka. Both goalies again have starter potential, especially Vejmelka playing over 38 games the last three seasons for the Coyotes and averaging a 3.50 GAA and a .899 save percentage. But with the star studded play from Swayman to save them in closer games they have a chance to potentially grab a wildcard spot to the playoffs this year. The cap situation is perfect to sign someone like Swayman where they currently have 9.92 million dollars in cap space.

Calgary Flames

Now let’s preface by saying that I have a lot of hope and promise for 23 year old prospect goaltender Dustin Wolf who is a fan favorite and has torn the AHL up. But for right now it’s not transferring into NHL caliber play with Wolf. He posted a 3.16 GAA and a 8.93 save percentage in 15 games. Not terrible but there is definitely development needed and he has a comfortable place to do it back in the minors where last year for the Calgary Wranglers of the AHL he put up a 2.45 GAA and a 9.22 save percentage which is what you want to see from a young goalie. Having a guy like Swayman there who is not much older but has had a similar path to that starter roll can be a mentor and maybe even crazier, an unstoppable goalie tandem in Calgary years down the road. The Flames cap situation is where you can start to fall in love with this idea. They have 19.53 million available for this season! They have plenty of room to get a deal done now to ensure that you don’t have Dan Vladar and Dustin Wolf thrown into the fire.