The Boston Bruins missed the playoffs and were among the NHL’s worst teams in the second half of the season. With their struggles, the team may be heading toward a rebuild and shaking up their roster. On the PuckGM tool on PuckPedia, one user proposed a major trade that would send goaltender Jeremy Swayman to the Carolina Hurricanes in a blockbuster deal.
Bruins acquire:
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Jesperi Kotkaniemi
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Pyotr Kochetkov
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Logan Stankoven
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2025 first-round pick
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2026 first-round pick (Dallas’)
Hurricanes acquire:
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Jeremy Swayman
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Pavel Zacha
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2025 third-round pick
This proposed deal is a massive shake-up that could benefit both teams. For the Bruins, it provides an opportunity to rebuild with younger talent and stockpile draft picks. They would acquire Kotkaniemi, who would slide into a top-six forward role, and is under contract for five more years at $38.56 million. Kotkaniemi posted 11 goals and 21 assists in 77 games this season. Additionally, they would bring in Logan Stankoven, a 22-year-old forward still under his entry-level contract, as well as goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov, who could be Boston’s starting goalie moving forward. Kochetkov, 25, went 27-16-3 this season with a 2.60 GAA and .898 SV%.
In exchange, the Hurricanes would acquire Jeremy Swayman, who is locked in for seven more years on his $66 million deal. Swayman, a promising goaltender, would provide Carolina with the No. 1 goalie they’ve been searching for. This season, he posted a 22-29-7 record with a 3.11 GAA and a .892 SV%. The Hurricanes would also land Pavel Zacha, a versatile middle-six forward who recorded 14 goals and 33 assists for 47 points in 82 games this season. Zacha would help fill the gap left by Kotkaniemi and Stankoven’s departures.
Bruins’ Swayman Reflects on Disappointing Season
Boston’s failure to make the playoffs this season can likely be attributed to several factors, with the inconsistent play of Jeremy Swayman being a key issue. Swayman took responsibility for his performance, acknowledging that he didn’t play up to his usual standards.
“I take accountability, I wanted to play better,” Swayman said on April 17. “I know that I can play better, and that’s something that 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.”
Swayman missed training camp due to a contract holdout, which may have contributed to his struggles. Now that he’s signed long-term, he believes a full training camp will benefit him moving forward.
“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,” Swayman 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.”
Swayman is also a one-time NHL All-Star, and hopes to return to his elite form next season.
Bruins Coach Frustrated With Season
Boston made a mid-season coaching change, firing Jim Montgomery and promoting Joe Sacco to interim head coach.
Sacco, a native of Boston, acknowledged the unique experience of coaching in his hometown but expressed frustration with how the situation unfolded.
“It’s been pretty busy since the change,” Sacco said. “It’s special to be able to coach obviously in your hometown. That’s obviously an added bonus. I’ll think more about it as the days go on. But I’m proud of the guys. I know there’s been a lot of moving parts this year and they haven’t quit — right to the end.”
Under Sacco’s leadership, the Bruins finished with a 33-39-10 record, securing the worst record in the Eastern Conference.