A bold statement was made regarding Jeremy Swayman becoming Team USA's starting goaltender at Olympics

During a recent NHL Network segment, analyst Mike Rupp said that if the 2026 Winter Olympics started today, he would choose Swayman as Team USA's starting goalie, even with former Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck fully healthy.

It was the kind of statement that grabs attention across the league, but for Bruins fans who have watched Swayman's resurgence this season, it didn't feel far-fetched.

Swayman has been outstanding through the first stretch of the year. After a disappointing 2024-25 season raised questions about his long-term role, he has responded by stabilizing Boston's entire defensive structure, posting elite numbers and delivering timely saves during injury-heavy stretches.

His rebound has been one of the Bruins' most important storylines, and the national media is taking notice.

As a fan, hearing his name mentioned in the same breath as «Team USA starter» hits differently. American goaltending has long been anchored by veterans like Hellebuyck and John Gibson, but Swayman's athleticism, calmness under pressure, and ability to steal games have shifted the conversation.

When a former NHLer like Rupp says, «Today, even with a healthy Connor Hellebuyck, I would make him the starter for Team USA,» it signals a legitimate shift in perception.

That kind of endorsement doesn't come lightly. Team USA will have no shortage of options in 2026, but Swayman's combination of age, upside, and current form makes him one of the most intriguing candidates in the pipeline.

If he continues playing at this level, he won't just be in the conversation, he'll force the committee to give him a serious look.

Boston, meanwhile, benefits from his rise in real time. With key players still recovering and the Bruins grinding through lineup instability, Swayman's consistency has been a backbone.