The goalie hug between Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman will no longer continue after the former was traded to the Ottawa Senators last month. But that won’t stop the current Bruins goalie from potentially making a new tradition with his backup.
“I know we don’t have the hug anymore but there’s still going to be something going on after Bruins games, I can only imagine,” Swayman said in a Cameo. “Hopefully (Joonas Korpisalo) and I are going to find something cool, and we’ll keep that tradition going. No doubt.”
After each win, Swayman and Ullmark hugged as a celebration. It drew large cheers from those in attendance and was a tradition many fans came to love. But after the Ullmark trade, which brought Korpisalo to Boston, both Ullmark and Swayman said they will leave the hug behind.
Swayman’s comments about starting a new tradition should also indicate that he indeed will sign a long-term contract with the Bruins. After settling in arbitration last year, something Swayman was vocal about not wanting to go through again, the 25-year-old emerged as the team’s No. 1 goalie and played the majority of Boston’s playoff run.
Neither the Bruins nor Swayman elected to go to arbitration this summer. And while any other team is able to offer Swayman a contract, the Bruins have the right match an offer he receives. But general manager Don Sweeney has said several times that it’s a priority to get the goalie signed to a long-term contract. The two sides will continue to work toward one without a third party this time around.
Ullmark also has said he will likely have a new tradition with Anton Forsberg, but that it needs to happen organically.
The Bruins will look a little different during the 2024-25 NHL season after they traded Ullmark and signed Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov. Jake DeBrusk and Matt Grzelcyk also found new homes with the Vancouver Canucks and the Pittsburgh Penguins, respectively, and there will be a new goalie tandem with a new tradition after wins.
