Where do the Bruins, should the Bruins stand on each goaltender conundrum?

With trades swirling all over the NHL, and free agency and the draft looming on the horizon, the Boston Bruins have a bit of a conundrum going on.

It is not who they are going to draft, it is not who their new coach in Providence is going to be, and it is not even what their new assistant coach Jay Leach's role is going to be. Their problem is they have three qualified goaltenders, and two spots to fill going into the season.

The three are Jeremy Swayman, Linus Ullmark, and Brandon Bussi. Another problem that presents itself here too is that only one of the three is under contract, that being Ullmark. And to make matters worse, it is looking more and more like he will be traded, where to is up in the air as of the writing of this article.

Reportedly, according to Mark Divver of NHL.com, a contract is in the works for Bussi.

As for Swayman, there has been nothing publically announced regarding his contract. However, it would definitely behoove Bruins' General Manager, Don Sweeney, to avoid arbitration at all costs.

What should Boston do about all of these conundrums? It's a puzzle, and here's what this reporter feels is the best possible scenario for any of them.

Jeremy Swayman

I mean, Swayman has been talked about as the cornerstone of the franchise in Boston for years, even since he was playing at the University of Maine, Goaltender Development Coach and former NHL netminder, Mike Dunham, even said that he was "the future of goaltending in Boston."

After the season that Swayman put together, he's primed and ready for a spot on the NHL roster to himself where he gets the bulk of the starts. He did put together a starter-worthy season, and is ready for the next stage.

Right now, don't be surprised if Boston is simply working out the numbers to see where exactly they can meet Swayman. Whether that is saying that they will pay him what he wants given their cap space or meeting in the middle.

What they should do:
The Bruins need to go out of their way to sign Swayman pre-arbitration, or if he even makes it past arbitration match any offer sheet presented to him.

Brandon Bussi

Bussi is kind of the odd one out of this group. He does not have any NHL experience, despite being called up a few times, but each time he has played in the preseason he has had a strong showing.

Bussi has made saves when he needed to, and utilized his 6'5" frame to his advantage, especially when he has to sprawl from one side of the net to the other.

Many people in the media, and organization too, think that he is ready to called up to the NHL and it's just a matter of him making a lasting impact. The only problem that presents itself is this.

Say, for argument's sake, Ullmark is gone and it's Bussi and Swayman battling for a starter's spot. That's two guys that are the same age going for the same position. The only difference between the two is one is older, but less experienced, and the other is older and is much more experienced.

Bussi is reportedly having contract talks with the team, and while it's intriguing to hear to hear that, it's not intriguing enough that fans are going to be clamoring to hear more just yet.

What should they do:
Really what Boston needs to do first with Bussi, is make a decision on Ullmark. If Ullmark is to stay, the Bruins need to sign Bussi to a two-way deal, giving him a chance to show Sweeney what he can do in the NHL.

If Ullmark goes, then he needs to get signed to at the very least a short term deal so they're not tied down to him as a backup, or God forbid a starter if Swayman walks.