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Jeremy Swayman’s new eight-year contract worth $8.25 million annually with the Boston Bruins could affect comparable NHL goaltenders slated to become RFAs next summer and beyond.
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun believes Jake Oettinger was likely paying close attention to Swayman’s new deal. The 25-year-old Dallas Stars netminder is in the final season of his three-year contract with an annual cap hit of $4 million.
Oettinger established himself as the Stars’ starting goaltender in 2021-22 and backstopped them to back-to-back Western Conference finals in 2023 and 2024. He’s in line for a significant raise comparable to Swayman’s.
LeBrun reported no significant contract talks between Stars GM Jim Nill and Oettinger’s camp. The young goalie could wait until the off-season to begin serious discussions.
Oettinger’s negotiations should be less fraught than Swayman’s. The Bruins netminder was still nursing a bruised ego from going through arbitration last year, leading to a tense off-season contract standoff with management that wasn’t resolved until earlier this week.
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Turning to the Anaheim Ducks, Cam Fowler surfaced last month in the rumor mill amid reports the 32-year-old defenseman discussed his future with management, including the possibility of a mutually beneficial trade.
Fowler is signed through 2025-26 with an average annual value of $6.5 million. He carries a four-team trade list but reportedly expanded it by double digits.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman expects Fowler to draw interest in this season’s trade market. He believes the St. Louis Blues have already taken a long look at him. However, the blueliner’s contract could make it difficult for interested clubs with limited cap space to acquire him.
The Ducks aren’t rushing to trade Fowler, nor is he forcing the issue. Nevertheless, it could take until the March 7 trade deadline for some interested teams to accrue sufficient cap room to land him. The Ducks still may have to retain some salary or take on a hefty contract to make the dollars fit. That said, The Hockey News’ Patrick Present mentioned with eight defensemen on the roster, the team could relieve a logjam by moving Fowler if its young blueliners perform well early.
Related: Top-Pair NHL Defenseman Surfaces As Trade Candidate For Handful Of Teams
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