Several Key Preseason Storylines to Watch Around the NHL

As camp gets underway and NHL teams get ready for preseason action, there are some intriguing storylines throughout the league.

The 2024 NHL preseason is just days away and there is no shortage of intriguing storylines coming out of some of the more followed NHL franchises.

From players still looking to land a job, to others on PTOs, the injuries, and line combinations… even big names that still need to be signed. Time is running out.

Will Jeremy Swayman Sign in Boston?

In Boston, things appear to be getting concerning between the Bruins and goaltender Jeremy Swayman. He’s not at camp, there is said to be a considerable gap between what the netminder wants to be paid and where the organization is at, and just recently, Elliotte Friedman said someone even asked him if the Bruins might “consider trading Swayman, just give up and go?

Will Jeremy Swayman sign with the Boston Bruins during camp or preseason?

While he says the team has no plans to do so, that questions like this are even out there is not a good sign. Reports surfaced that Swayman has signed an eight-year deal, but those turned out to be false. GM Don Sweeney then threw out December 1st as a deadline date, which has many Bruins fans worried.

This is a situation that can be resolved up until December 1, but it needs to get taken care of well before that and ideally during the preseason.

Which Unsigned Defenseman Gets A Job?

It’s wild to think that Tony DeAngelo, Mark Giordano, Justin Schultz, Kevin Shattenkirk, and others don’t have NHL jobs yet but have made it clear they want to keep playing. The fact that 32 teams don’t feel the need to sign or give one of them a tryout is baffling.

How long does this last? Granted, Schultz is said to be waiting for a contract and not interested in a PTO. Others might feel the same way. But, something has to give here. These are all older players who can’t sit forever. The longer they aren’t skating with an NHL club, the longer it will take them to get up to speed, and the less likely they get offered a contract.

Which Early Signing or Trade Looks the Best?