By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman is eager to add a gold medal to his already solid National Hockey League career with Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Swayman has a shot to win a gold medal with his Bruins teammate, Charlie McAvoy.
Tomorrow at 3:10 p.m. ET, Team USA will play Team Sweden in the Quarterfinals. However, Swayman’s playing time at the Olympics may be over after Team USA’s game this past Saturday, but it could benefit the Bruins deeply in the long run.
Earlier today, Bleacher Report’s Sara Civian wrote an article titled “Stock up, Stock down on 5 NHL Players at the Olympics.” Civian named Swayman as one of the players whose stock is down. Although Team USA won 6-3 against Team Denmark when Swayman started in goal, it’s a game that was brutal for the Anchorage native.
In the first period, Swayman allowed Jesper Jensen Abbo to score a goal from center ice to give Team Denmark a 2-1 lead. Even though Swayman appeared to have lost sight of the puck, he was heavily criticized for his performance and allowing in a goal from center ice despite Team USA’s win.
“If we’re talking about a player’s stock, Swayman is having the kind of NHL season that gives his team a chance to make the playoffs,” Civian said. “However, the heartbreak of the Olympics is how momentous and unforgiving they are.”
Civian also added that after his “whiff and another weak goal allowed,” Swayman is “done.” In Team USA’s next game the following day, Jake Oettinger got the start and was much better to help the Americans win 5-1 over Team Germany.
Swayman said he is colorblind after the win against Team Denmark. The puck being shot from center ice appeared to have blended in with the boards, but Swayman didn’t make any excuses for his blunder.
With Civian claiming Swayman is “done” playing in the Olympics after his whiff, it can be beneficial for the Bruins. The chances of Swayman playing again in the Olympics are certainly low, and Connor Hellebuyck and Oettinger are better options to start in goal for Team USA at this point with their Olympic performances.
With Hellebuyck and Oettinger likely to play in goal to help Team USA capture a gold medal, it can allow Swayman to rest up and get ready for when the Bruins return to play on Feb. 26 against the Columbus Blue Jackets, when the Olympic break concludes.
If the Bruins are going to make the 2026 playoffs, the team will need Swayman to play his best. Swayman’s season has helped the Bruins hold the Eastern Conference’s second Wild Card seed with 69 points. Swayman has a 22-12-3 record with a 2.92 GAA and .903 save percentage in 38 games played this season.
The Bruins are going to be relying on their number one goaltender for a playoff push, and the first game against the Blue Jackets, who trail the Bruins by four points in the Eastern Conference standings, is going to be a huge game out of the gate.
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