Bruins after dark

Jeremy Swayman entered the 2024-25 season with momentum, expectations, and a fresh eight-year, $66 million contract. The Boston Bruins had dealt Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators and made it clear: the crease now belonged to Swayman.

But the season didn’t go the way either side had hoped.

In his first year as Boston’s full-time starter, Swayman posted career lows across the board. He led the league in goals allowed (158) and finished with an .892 save percentage and a 3.11 goals-against average—both the worst of his NHL career.

I take accountability, I wanted to play better

Swayman told reporters Thursday at Warrior Ice Arena.

I know that I can play better and that’s something I can’t wait to work on. And this team is going to be a lot different next year with what we learned from this year, and we’ve got a lot to look forward to

he added, not shying away from the reality of a letdown year.

Swayman’s jump to the No. 1 role came without a proper ramp-up.

After sitting out training camp amid contract talks, he was thrust straight into the grind and started a career-high 58 games—15 more than he logged the previous year.

Still, the 26-year-old refused to pin the struggles on that absence.

We’re allowed to make that apparent, but it’s a long season and one thing that I really want to be is a guy and a goalie that can stay in the moment and really focus on the here and now and not let past stuff affect my present

he said.

And I think moving forward, I can’t wait to be a part of training camp and use it as an extremely valuable piece to start a season, having compete, obviously, getting to know the guys right before the season starts and setting a standard

Swayman continued, highlighting how much he values the structure and momentum that a proper preseason can provide.

Even in a down year, Swayman’s work ethic never wavered.

Now, with the weight of expectations heavier than ever, he’s already planning to stay in Boston through the summer to sharpen his game.

I want to be a top goaltender in this league, and I know that I have the ability to do that

he declared.

And it’s going to be a really good feeling to make sure that we’re coming to work every day and earning that

Swayman added.

For a Bruins team searching for stability after a chaotic season, Swayman’s commitment to rebounding could be the foundation they build on in 2025.