"If they feel like I’m ready, then they know I am."
Last week, Jim Montgomery declared that veteran netminder Joonas Korpisalo was set to start Boston’s season-opening game against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night.
But Boston’s bench boss might be changing his tune now that Jeremy Swayman is back on the ice with the Bruins.
Following Boston’s practice Monday afternoon in Fort Lauderdale, Montgomery acknowledged that the team has not officially ruled out Swayman from starting against the Panthers.
“He’s a potential goalie tomorrow night,” Montgomery said. “We’re undecided.”
It’d be a quick turnaround for Swayman, who took part in his first official practice of the season Monday after missing all of training camp and preseason action due to his now-concluded contract negotiations.
But Swayman stressed Sunday that he remains in game shape after working out at Boston University throughout the Bruins’ training camp.
“Even though I didn’t have as much flow drills and obviously game-type scenarios lately, that’s gonna be something that clicks right away,” Swayman said. “As players, we all know that it only takes, you know, a couple of real good skates to get back into the rhythm of things, and that’s our job.
“My job is to do exactly that when I start getting reps. I’m gonna be getting ready. I wanna be getting ready right away. I want to start every game. I’m excited for that challenge.”
Getting the starting nod on Tuesday might be a surprising development given all that has transpired with Swayman over the last few months. But the 25-year-old netminder already has plenty of experience against the Panthers.
Even with Boston falling to Florida in six games during the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Swayman was arguably the Bruins’ best player during that series — finishing with a .917 save percentage.
“If they feel like I’m ready, then they know I am,” Swayman said of leaving his availability up to the coaching staff. “So, that’s what I want, to let them know and they do know that, which is great.”
It remains to be seen just how viable Swayman’s availability is for Tuesday. Montgomery could be dipping into the gamesmanship that was put on full display during Boston’s playoff bout with the Panthers in the spring.
But regardless of whether or not Swayman is the man between the pipes on Tuesday night at Amerant Bank Arena, the Bruins can breathe a sigh of relief that their franchise goalie is back in the fold.
“It was great; he has so much great energy,” Montgomery said. “I thought that that elevated the practice. I thought he looked sharp.”
As Montgomery and the Bruins mull their options in net for Tuesday’s season opener (still scheduled as of Monday night despite the impending arrival of Hurricane Milton), Boston released its Opening-Night roster on Monday evening:
Forwards (13): Johnny Beecher, Justin Brazeau, Charlie Coyle, Trent Frederic, Morgan Geekie, Max Jones, Mark Kastelic, Cole Koepke, Elias Lindholm, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Riley Tufte, Pavel Zacha
Defensemen (7): Brandon Carlo, Hampus Lindholm, Mason Lohrei, Charlie McAvoy, Andrew Peeke, Parker Wotherspoon, Nikita Zadorov
Goalies (2): Joonas Korpisalo, Jeremy Swayman
Forward Matt Poitras and defensemen Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula will start the season on the Injured Non-Roster list, with Poitras skating Monday in Fort Lauderdale with a red, non-contact sweater on.
One noteworthy absence for Boston is veteran forward Tyler Johnson, who was also not with the team down in Florida.
The 34-year-old skater impressed during preseason action while on a professional tryout (PTO) contract, but his status in the team might be in limbo given the limited cap space available following Swayman’s signing. As of Monday night, Johnson has not signed a contract, nor has he been released from his PTO.
Here’s a look at Boston’s projected lineup for Tuesday night:
Pavel Zacha – Elias Lindholm – David Pastrnak
Brad Marchand – Charlie Coyle – Morgan Geekie
Max Jones – Trent Frederic – Justin Brazeau
Johnny Beecher – Mark Kastelic – Cole Koepke
Hampus Lindholm – Charlie McAvoy
Mason Lohrei – Brandon Carlo
Nikita Zadorov – Andrew Peeke
Joonas Korpisalo
Jeremy Swayman
