Boston Bruins: 5 players to keep an eye on in 2021-22

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 31: Charlie Coyle #13 of the Boston Bruins celebrates his goal against the New York Islanders at 2:38 of the first period in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on May 31, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 31: Charlie Coyle #13 of the Boston Bruins celebrates his goal against the New York Islanders at 2:38 of the first period in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on May 31, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 11: Jeremy Swayman #1 of the Boston Bruins looks to make a save against the Washington Capitals during the second period of the game at Capital One Arena on May 11, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 11: Jeremy Swayman #1 of the Boston Bruins looks to make a save against the Washington Capitals during the second period of the game at Capital One Arena on May 11, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

G Jeremy Swayman

Jeremy Swayman is the second-half of the Bruins’ goaltender duo heading into the season. With how well he played last season, there’s a solid chance that they will have him and Ullmark as a 1A-1B tandem. That’s ignoring the possibility of Rask returning to the team, of course.

In 10 games this season with the Bruins, Swayman had a 7-3-0 record to go along with a spectacular 1.50 GAA and .945 SV%. It is very hard not to be excited to see what he will provide in his first full season with the club. That kind of success for a 22-year-old goalie is immensely impressive, even if the sample size was small. If he can continue to play this well, the Bruins will be all set in goal.

There’s even more reason for optimism when seeing how well Swayman played before joining the NHL, too. In 2020 with the University of Maine, his stellar play allowed him to win the Mike Richter Award as the NCAA’s top collegiate goaltender. He also was named Hockey East Goaltender of the Year, Hockey East Player of the Year, and NCAA New England MVP. With Providence this past season, he followed that up with an 8-1-0 record and .933 SV%.

The Bruins could have a real gem in Swayman, so we will have to see how he does during this season. Every fan should be rooting for his success.