MAPLE LEAFS MADE MASSIVE BLUNDER WITH JEREMY SWAYMAN
The Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs are playing some immensely entertaining hockey. It has been an incredibly close and chippy series between these Original Six clubs, but Boston currently has the edge, sporting a 2-1 series lead. A major reason for that has been Jeremy Swayman's sensational play.
Swayman, 25, has won both of his starts this series and has been nearly perfect, as his 1.51 GAA and .955 SV% effectively display. He has made an abundance of big saves on high-danger chances and has simply been a nightmare for the Maple Leafs to deal with.
What stings even more for Toronto is that this could have been avoided if they didn't make a massive blunder.
During a previous appearance on former NHL enforcer John Scott's podcast Droppin' the Gloves, Swayman shared that he expected the Maple Leafs to select him because they had discussions with each other all season. Of course, Swayman becoming a Leaf did not come to fruition.
"I was looking for Toronto to draft me because I talked to them a ton during the year. And pick 110 came around, and Toronto was up. And I was like, 'Alright, fourth round, you know, definitely a possibility.' I was like, ‘alright, maybe we could do this.' They drafted another goalie."
The Maple Leafs opted to select Ian Scott with their 110th pick. At the time, the move made sense, as the Calgary native was viewed as having a bright future. He also won the CHL Goaltender of the Year in 2018-19, posting a 38-8-3 record, a 1.83 GAA, and a .932 SV% in 49 games with the Prince Albert Raiders. Unfortunately, injuries forced him to retire from hockey at just 23 years old, and he never got the chance to play in the NHL because of it.
By not picking Swayman, the Maple Leafs allowed the Bruins, one of their biggest rivals, to scoop him up immediately after with the 111th overall pick. Now, in 2024, Swayman is one of the game's top goaltenders and is giving the Maple Leafs a very difficult time in the playoffs. With goaltending being a shaky position for the Maple Leafs, missing out on Swayman certainly must sting for them. This is especially so when noting that Swayman is likely to be a long-term answer between the pipes for Boston.
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2024-04-26T17:06:23Z dg43tfdfdgfd