NHL NEWS: A Multiple report this morning stated that the goalies and the Bruins opted not to file for arbitration this summer, which puts the Toronto Maple Leafs in a great position to jump in and sign them. However…

The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a prime position to swoop in and sign Jeremy Swayman after Swayman and the Bruins decided to avoid filing for arbitrarion this summer. This situation could be a golden opportunity for the Leafs to nab the number-one netminder the club desperately needs.

The Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending situation is better after the team signed Anthony Stolarz, but it’s still not good enough.

With Auston Matthews embarking on his prime, the Toronto Maple Leafs are taking a huge risk moving forward with only the injury prone and inexperienced Joseph Woll to pair with Stolarz.

While this is most likely the Leafs goaltending duo when next season starts, it doesn’t have to be.

The Boston Bruins and restricted free agent netminder Jeremy Swayman mutually chose to forego arbitration this summer. The Boston Herald reported that neither side wanted a repeat of last year’s arbitration experience.

While this situation most likely means that the Bruins and Jeremy Swayman are close to a new contract, the circumstances have also cast doubt on whether Swayman actually wants to stay in Boston.

Now, the Bruins have gone all-in on Jeremy Swayman. The club traded away Linus Ullmark to anoint Swayman as the number-one guy. The B’s would not have decided to trade Ullmark if they weren’t sure that Swayman would re-sign.

But there’s another twist to this situation. Since both the Bruins and Swayman chose not to file for arbitration, Swayman is now open to an offer sheet. That’s where the Toronto Maple Leafs could swoop in to get the goalie the club desperately needs.

The Cost For the Toronto Maple Leafs to Offer Sheet Jeremy Swayman

Here’s where things get tricky. Extending an offer sheet to Jeremy Swayman could get pricey in dollar terms and compensation.

Let’s unpack that.

The Boston Herald recently ran a piece in which it compared Jeremy Swayman’s new contract with the one the Nashville Predators recently gave Juuse Saros. Saros signed an eight-year deal to the tune of $7.74 AAV.

That comparison means that Swayman could potentially look at a new deal in the neighbourhood of $7 million per season. That sort of contract would mean the Leafs would have to move contracts in order to fit under the cap.

CapFriendly reports the Leafs are currently over the cap. As such, the Leafs could not fit Swayman’s new contract without moving a few players.

But wouldn’t it be worth moving contracts if it means getting a number-one goalie like Swayman?

The other issue is compensation. According to league regulations, clubs that offer sheet a player must provide compensation if that player signs. The compensation depends on the dollar value of the contract signed.