What the Bruins' salary cap picture looks like after the Swayman contract

What the Bruins' salary cap picture looks like after Swayman contract originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

It took a long time, but the Boston Bruins and goaltender Jeremy Swayman were able to negotiate a contract worth $66 million over eight years, including an $8.25 million salary cap hit.

Swayman, who was the last remaining restricted free agent in the NHL, is now tied with New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin for the league's fourth-largest goaltender contract based on total value and the fifth-largest goaltender contract based on the annual average value.

There's no question that Swayman deserves a huge raise from the $3.475 million he made last season. He is one of the ten best goaltenders in the league and was the best player at his position in two rounds of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

While this contract raises expectations for Swayman, it probably won't faze him. He thrives on pressure and criticism.

“The end goal is to win the Stanley Cup and I believe this is the group that can do that and continue to do that for many years to come,” Swayman told reporters at a news conference Sunday. “Every year I’m there and I’m going to make sure that it becomes a reality.”

So what does this contract mean for the Bruins’ salary cap?

Well, as of this writing, the Bruins have about $387,000 in cap space, according to PuckPedia, with 23 players on the active roster (13 forwards, seven defensemen and three goaltenders). This assumes the Bruins waive goaltender Jiri Patera or send him to the Providence Bruins of the AHL. If goaltender Brandon Bussi were sent to Providence, the B's would have $1.16 million in cap space, according to PuckPedia. However, Bussi would have to clear waivers before he could be sent to Providence.

Depending on which players they waive or send to Providence in the next 24 hours or so, the Bruins could create a little more wiggle room. All 32 teams must submit their opening night lineups to the league by 5:00 p.m. ET on Monday.

Looking forward, the Bruins are expected to have around $18 million in cap space next season, according to PuckPedia.

However, they have several key players in the final year of their contracts who need new contracts. That list includes left wing and captain Brad Marchand, center Trent Frederic and center Morgan Geekie. Bruins general manager Don Sweeney commented on these three players earlier this week

“I have spoken to Freddy’s camp 100 percent,” Sweeney said at a news conference last Monday. “You are 100 percent right. Morgan Geekie is an RFA. I had a discussion with his camp. Brad (Marchand), not to discount Brad – a lot of discussions with Brad's camp, you know, in terms of trying to “find a landing spot there.”

“So yes, you know that. We are being as proactive as possible within the league and CBA parameters when we can talk to the players.”

Forwards John Beecher and Mark Kastelic and defenseman Mason Lohrei will also be restricted free agents next summer. Defensemen Parker Wotherspoon and Bussi are eligible for unrestricted free agency next offseason. So the Bruins still have a lot of work to do between now and next July.

The Bruins open the 2024-25 regular season on Tuesday night in Florida against the Stanley Cup champion Panthers. Boston's home opener is Thursday against the rival Montreal Canadiens at TD Garden.