When Can Bruins Fans Expect Jeremy Swayman’s Season Debut?

The Bruins and Jeremy Swayman agreed to an eight-year contract on Sunday. However, general manager Don Sweeney noted that the club will still start Joonas Korpisalo in Boston’s opener in Florida on Tuesday.

“I think I was being pretty honest that the team was being hurt, and himself without preparation and such,” Sweeney told reporters during a press conference at Warrior Ice Arena, as seen on NESN. “Now, we’re fortunate that he does work hard and he’ll be in a good spot to go in and support Joonas for opening night. Then he and (goalie coach) Bob (Essensa) will decide when he feels comfortable but it won’t be for lack of effort on his part in preparation to be ready as soon as he can be.”

Swayman opted not to attend Bruins training camp while his contract was still being negotiated, but the 25-year-old was not simply sitting around — the Maine Black Bear was training with his one-time Hockey East rival, the BU Terriers.

“I was there every day as soon as camp started,” Swayman told reporters, as seen on NESN. “… They provided me a great training place to keep my game sharp throughout the entire process. I could not have done it without them. Even though I’m a Black Bear through and through, I’m an honorary Terrier.”

Even with the workouts, Swayman wasn’t able to compete in any of the Bruins’ seven preseason contests, so he will need to see some NHL reps before he makes his season debut.

“Game reps are game reps, and preseason is there for a reason,” Sweeney explained. “He’ll go through some progressions. But as I said, he works hard and will be ready to go hopefully as soon as possible, but he and Goalie Bob will have some work to do and I’m excited to have him back in the net.”

Swayman doesn’t anticipate the wait to be that long before he leads the team on the ice for his debut.

“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.”

The Bruins have five games in eight days to begin the season, so it probably would be a safe bet to assume Swayman will be between the pipes sooner rather than later during that stretch. Boston placed Brandon Bussi and Jiri Patera on waivers with the intent of the two goalies being assigned to Providence. The Bruins could recall Bussi as soon as Tuesday if Swayman is not ready. He would not have to clear waivers again in the next 30 days or 10 games to be sent back down to the AHL.