(Photo Credit: Charles Krupa/AP Photo)

By: Tom Calautti | Follow me on Twitter @TCalauttis

It’s time to exhale everybody; Jeremy Swayman is coming back home. The Boston Bruins have officially signed their franchise goaltender to an eight-year, $66 million contract, with an AAV of $8.25 million per season.

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The new deal comes on the heels of a season where Swayman established himself as one of the elite goaltenders in the league. The Anchorage, AL native appeared in 44 regular season games, posting a record of 25-10-8 with a .916 save percentage (third among goaltenders with/ 30 or more games played), 2.53 goals against average (seventh), and 18.4 goals saved above expected (fourth). Swayman’s stellar regular season earned him his first all-star selection in 2023-24.

The former 2017 fourth-round pick (118th overall) was worth the price of admission based on his regular season resume alone, but it was his playoff performance that truly showcased his potential. Swayman went 6-6 in 12 games against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers, registering a 2.15 goals against average, a .933 save percentage, and 13.3 goals saved above expected. Among goalies who played at least 120 playoff minutes, those numbers ranked first, second, and first, respectively.

The new deal may seem steep to some of the more fiscally responsible fans, but when you look at Swayman’s total body of work, it’s clear he deserved the raise. Since entering the league in 2021, the 25-year-old has gone 79-33-15 with a 2.34 goals against average and a .919 save percentage.

With a new contract, a playoff series victory, and an all-star appearance under his belt, Swayman will look to earn his first Vezina Trophy as he leads the Bruins into the 2024-25 season.