Might Swayman Assist Crosby-led Penguins to Stanley Cup?

The Pittsburgh Penguins have one of many oldest lineups within the NHL, led by Evgeni Malkin (38), Kris Letang (37), and Sidney Crosby (37). Nonetheless, like a high-quality wine, this trio has continued to play at an elite degree and produce invaluable expertise to the lineup.

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All three skaters have been a part of the Penguins group since 2006 and have been the backbones of three Stanley Cup titles. Future Corridor of Famer goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has helped them alongside the best way, whereas Matt Murray was instrumental within the 2016 and 2017 championships.

Groups want good goaltending to achieve success within the NHL. Boston has had Tim Thomas, Tuukka Rask, Linus Ullmark, and Jeremy Swayman for the previous twenty years to maintain them in competition.

Through the offseason, the Bruins dealt former Vezina Trophy winner Ullmark to Ottawa and have but to return to phrases with Swayman, who desires roughly $10 million yearly for eight years. However Boston has topped out at $64 million for eight, leaving the star goalie and Unique Six franchise at en passe.

Since nobody has signed Swayman to a suggestion sheet, a lot speak about his future revolves round a potential commerce to finish the drama brewing in Beantown.

The Penguins brass and their fanbase will not be within the operating for Swayman, however because the outdated saying goes, “Why not us?”

In 132 video games, Swayman has a 79-33-15 file with a 2.34 GAA and .919 SV%. He is recorded 12 shutouts whereas successful the William M. Jennings Trophy with Ullmark in 2022-23.

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Furthermore, the Alaskan native was an All-Rookie Staff member and skated within the 2024 All-Star Recreation. Within the postseason, he is 9-10 with a profession 2.38 GAA and .922 SV%. Moreover, in 12 playoff video games final season, he was 6-6 whereas producing a league-leading .933 SV%.

For comparability, that is how the Penguins goalies have performed since Swayman entered the league in 2020-21:

Pittsburgh has roughly $249,229 in cap area, so normal supervisor Kyle Dubas should work onerous to afford a goalie price $8 to $10 million.

First, Jarry have to be included within the commerce, clearing up $5,375,000 in cap area and leaving about $4.625 million to maneuver. With out breaking apart the Crosby, Malkin, or Letang connection, a potential addition to the commerce could possibly be Rickard Rakell ($5 million) or Bryan Rust ($5.1 million).

Moreover, some prospects, like Joel Blomqvist or Sergei Marushov, could possibly be tossed within the commerce, plus some draft capital (Pittsburgh has 17 picks within the subsequent two drafts) to steadiness the whole lot out.

Nobody desires to see Rakell or Rust to be moved, however concurrently, the Penguins cannot half with Marcus Pettersson ($4 million) or Erik Karlsson ($10 million). Nonetheless, Ryan Graves ($4.5 million) could possibly be a risk.

In fact, nobody expects Pittsburgh to name Boston and kick the tires on a Swayman, however in actuality, he is wager on himself and desires to be paid to steer a crew to the Stanley Cup.

Crosby, Malkin, and Letang solely have so many video games left of their careers. The Penguins may use an injection of youth between the pipes who could make essential saves in huge moments, which they’ve wanted over the previous few seasons to get again into the winner’s circle.

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