Some speculation about the Bruins' Jeremy Swayman has come too early. Jeremy Swayman [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA3OTQ5Mzk2OTQyMjY3NDI5/usatsi_23274635_168400847_lowres.jpg] Jeremy Swayman Jeremy Swayman's contract standoff with the Boston Bruins has raised speculation over how long this saga could drag on and what type of deal the 25-year-old goaltender ultimately receives. It's also prompted questions over whether the Bruins could wash their hands of Swayman and trade him. During Friday's episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, Elliotte Friedman said [https://www.sportsnet.ca/podcasts/32-thoughts/a-bevy-of-extensions-as-training-camps-begin/] some people asked him if the Bruins might consider moving the RFA goaltender. He said he hasn't spoken with GM Don Sweeney, who's keeping a low profile except to express his unhappiness over some of the media coverage of this situation. Nevertheless, Friedman doesn't think the Bruins will trade Swayman. It's far too early for that kind of talk. Training camp is less than a week old, and there's plenty of time for the two sides to get a deal done. Sweeney mentioned the Dec. 1 deadline for signing RFAs, but it would be unusual if negotiations stretched that far. The last notable RFA to take his negotiations up to Dec. 1 was William Nylander with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2018 [https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-sign-rfa-william-nylander-6-year-deal/]. The Bruins still see themselves as Stanley Cup contenders but need Swayman in goal to make it happen. It's unlikely they'd get any offer that would suitably replace him. Still, the longer this situation goes on, the more questions will be raised about the Bruins' willingness to keep Swayman in the fold, the cost of doing so and how receptive they could be to trade offers. The Hockey News' Michael DeRosa said [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins/latest-news/bruins-goalie-prospect-could-get-big-chance] the Bruins can give their top goaltending prospect Brandon Bussi a valuable opportunity as long as Swayman is out. He added the 26-year-old has excited Bruins fans with impressive play in the AHL. Turning to the Anaheim Ducks, their discussions with Cam Fowler about a trade that would benefit both sides generated media buzz [https://thehockeynews.com/news/top-pair-nhl-defenseman-cam-fowler-surfaces-in-trade-speculation-for-handful-of-teams] in the rumor mill last week. So far, there's no indication the 32-year-old defenseman is close to being moved. The Ducks could end up waiting weeks for a suitable offer. Fowler isn't the only Duck who might welcome a trade. The Athletic's Eric Stephens believes [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5783310/2024/09/21/ducks-training-camp-fowler-trade/] goaltender John Gibson could be open to that prospect. Gibson, 31, frequently surfaced as a trade candidate over the past two seasons. However, Stephens believes his contract and the decline in his play have made it difficult for the Ducks to find serious suitors. Like Fowler, Gibson carries an average annual value that exceeds $6 million. Unlike his teammate, however, he's signed beyond 2025-26 [https://puckpedia.com/player/john-gibson]. The Ducks must retain a significant chunk of his cap hit to make him more enticing in the trade market.
