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Bruins are still trying to fill the void on Swayman's contract

Bruins are still trying to fill the void on Swayman's contract

Swayman split with Ullmark again last season, going 25-10-8 with a 2.53 GAA, .916 save percentage and three shutouts in 44 games (43 starts) before taking over the position in the playoffs. He started 12 of Boston's 13 games, including the last 11 in a row, and had a 2.15 GAA and .933 save percentage, helping the Bruins advance to Game 6 of the Eastern Conference second round against the Panthers.

The Bruins traded Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators in June with the clear intention of handing the job to Swayman, although a contract had yet to be signed.

“We decided to chart a course,” Sweeney said. “Both goalkeepers had asked to play 55 games. That's not possible when you play on the same team. So we decided to make a decision and felt comfortable with Jeremy coming forward. We knew what the likelihood of a return was,” given the discussions I had had around the league about Linus.

“We made a very difficult decision because he was an outstanding Bruin. … I don’t regret this decision one bit.”

It would be Swayman's net.

But so far the two best goaltenders in Bruins camp are Joonas Korpisalo, part of the Senators' returning starter in the Ullmark trade, and Brandon Bussi, and the days are ticking toward the start of the regular season.

“We're coming into camp so late that it's unlikely that Jeremy will be able to (at the start of the regular season), but today is a new day to continue the discussion and hopefully close the gap that exists,” Sweeney said .

Coach Jim Montgomery said, “I would lean on that and say where we are in camp right now, how well camp went and how well Korpisalo did, is that he will now be our starter for Game 1.”

The Bruins have two practices left before the start of the regular season.

Signing Swayman remains a priority.

“I have been in constant communication with Don and Cam about contract negotiations with Jeremy Swayman,” Bruins CEO and alternate governor Charlie Jacobs said. “I just want to be clear: We are in constant communication about Jeremy and hope to have him on the ice as soon as possible.”

Jacobs added: “I can’t speak for Jeremy. I can speak for ownership and say we will spend up to the cap, and we have spent up to the cap virtually every year.”

However, the sides remain at odds.

“At the end of the day, as I have always said, we are a better team when Jeremy is part of our hockey club,” Sweeney said. “That is my intention, that is my drive and I will continue to work to achieve it. I think Jeremy and the team are both hurting in that regard and that's what I'm going to do, I'm going to try to work hard to find an agreement for him.”

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