(This story was updated to add new information.)
NHL training camps opened Wednesday with Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman among the key unsigned restricted free agents.
Swayman, 25, is poised to run with the No. 1 goalie designation in Boston after the Bruins traded Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators in the offseason. Boston made the move to create cap room for a Swayman raise.
‘It’s our intention to negotiate a contract,’ Bruins general manager Don Sweeney told reporters. ‘I’m disappointed when you set things as a priority in the general manager’s spot, you do your best to try to accomplish that and I haven’t been able to do that yet.’
Swayman and Ullmark split time the past three seasons, but Swayman started all but one playoff game last season and recorded a league-best .933 save percentage as the Bruins were knocked out in the second round. His most starts in the regular season were 43 last season.
Sweeney said he wouldn’t discuss specifics about negotiations and took issue with some reporting about talks in the offseason. Joonas Korpisalo, acquired in the Ullmark trade, will be the top goalie until Swayman signs.
‘By the end of the day, I’m optimistic because I know we’ll find a landing spot before Dec. 1,’ Sweeney said.
Dec. 1 is the deadline for restricted free agents to sign in order to be eligible to play for the rest of the regular season.
Which NHL players are unsigned?
Other key unsigned restricted free agents are Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider, New Jersey Devils forward Dawson Mercer and Winnipeg Jets forward Cole Perfetti.
‘I don’t think we’re terribly far apart,’ Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman told reporters about the Seider talks.
Nashville Predators forward Philip Tomasino (one year, $825,000) signed Wednesday, the team said.
Stars’ Jason Robertson, T.J. Oshie among injured players
Dallas Stars leading scorer Jason Robertson will miss most of training camp while recovering from offseason foot surgery, GM Jim Nill told reporters. He’s expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.
The Washington Capitals said they expect to place forward T.J. Oshie on long-term injured reserve this season as he continues to deal with a chronic back injury. ‘Our organization fully backs him as he assesses his current health challenges,” general manager Chris Patrick said in a statement.
Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane will have surgery soon, GM Stan Bowman said, and will miss training camp and the start of the regular season. Kane said he was having surgery on his hip adductors and was also getting two torn abdominal muscles and two hernias fixed.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin left Wednesday’s opening practice with an injury, according to the Sabres’ website. ‘He’s going to get looked at and then we’ll find out what’s going on,” coach Lindy Ruff said.
Victor Hedman named Lightning captain
Defenseman Victor Hedman was named the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 11th captain. He replaces Steve Stamkos, who had been captain since 2014-15 before he was allowed to go to free agency and signed with the Nashville Predators.
Hedman is entering his 16th NHL season and was playoff MVP during the Lightning’s 2020 Stanley Cup run. He signed a four-year contract extension in the offseason.
Nick Foligno named Blackhawks captain
Forward Nick Foligno was named the Chicago Blackhawks’ 35th captain. The Blackhawks’ last captain was three-time Cup winner Jonathan Toews (2008-23), an unrestricted free agent who’s taking time off for health reasons.
Foligno, a 17-year veteran, is entering his second season in Chicago. He previously was captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets for six seasons.
