Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman has had quite the impressive year in his first season as a full-time Bruin. Though he’s been splitting time with veteran Linus Ullmark, he’s still been the best rookie goalie in the league, and he’s gained a slight edge in playing time.
Stats
Swayman leads the NHL in every major goalie statistic among rookies. He currently has a 22-12-3 record and sits at a .916 SV% and 2.33 GAA with three shutouts. Last season, the top rookie goaltender (min. 30 starts) turned out to be Igor Shesterkin. In 2020-21. Shesterkin put up similar numbers to Swayman; a 16-14-3 record with a .916 SV% and 2.62 GAA as well as two shutouts.
NHL fans now know Shesterkin as one of the best goalies in the league since he leads the NHL in save percentage and goals-against average.
Comparisons
Swayman’s top rookie goalie competitors are Kaapo Kahkonen, Spencer Knight and Alex Nedeljkovic, but the Bruins’ netminder has outperformed all of them.
Kahkonen (13-12-4) – .911 SV%, 2.91 GAA, 0 SO
Knight (18-8-3) – .909 SV%, 2.77 GAA, 1 SO
Nedeljkovic (19-22-9) – .901 SV%, 3.32 GAA 3 SO
League ranks
Swayman is clearly the best rookie goalie, but where does he rank among the whole league? Among goaltenders with at least 30 starts, his .916 SV% puts him 11th in the league. His spectacular 2.33 GAA ranks fifth and his three shutouts is tied for 11th. His goals saved above average (GSAA) also ranks fairly well. Swayman’s 9.15 GSAA is 12th in the NHL. Also, the 24-year-old rates well in quality start percentage (starts with above-average save percentage). His .667 quality start percentage is tied for third in the entire NHL with the aforementioned rookie Kahkonen.
Though Swayman won’t likely win the Calder Trophy for best NHL rookie, he’s taking long and fast strides toward becoming one of the best goaltenders in the league.
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