Bruins Face Contract Stalemate with Jeremy Swayman
As the Boston Bruins head into their season opener against the Florida Panthers on October 8, the shadow of a significant contract dispute looms over them. Restricted free agent Jeremy Swayman, who was expected to be the Bruins' primary starter this season, did not attend the Bruins' training camp, leaving fans and management in a state of uncertainty.
Despite foregoing arbitration this offseason, Swayman has yet to reach a new agreement with the team. According to sources, Swayman and his camp are seeking an average annual value upwards of $9.5 million, following a one-year contract awarded through arbitration last season that earned him $3.475 million. The Bruins, however, have offered an eight-year deal, which Swayman and his agent, Lewis Gross, have not accepted.
Lewis Gross broke his usual silence to defend his client's position. "Normally, I do not release statements or discuss negotiations through the media. However, in this case, I feel I need to defend my client. At today's press conference, $64 million was referenced. That was the first time that number was discussed in our negotiations. Prior to the press conference, no offer was made reaching that level," Gross stated. This quote highlights a key disconnect between what Swayman's camp is seeking and what the Bruins appear willing to pay.
Cam Neely, President of the Bruins, seemed to be frustrated by the ongoing negotiations. "I don't want to get into the weeds with what his ask is, but I know that I have 64 million reasons why I'd be playing right now," Neely remarked, emphasizing the club's stance on the matter.
The Bruins' management faced criticism for their handling of the situation, especially after trading Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators in the offseason. Many questioned the logic behind not securing Swayman’s new contract before parting with Ullmark, who could have provided stability in the net while the contract details were ironed out. General Manager Don Sweeney, however, stood firm in his decisions.
"We made a decision to chart a course. Both goaltenders asked to play 55 games. That's not possible if you're playing on the same team. We decided to make a decision. We were comfortable going forward with Jeremy. We knew what the likely return would be for Linus," Sweeney explained, implying that the move was a calculated one to benefit the team in the long run.
Sweeney also addressed concerns about the current situation, saying, "I don't regret that decision one bit, in terms of the decision we made to move forward and attack some of the areas we could benefit from in the free agent market." The GM's confidence in the team’s strategy is evident, but the absence of Swayman remains a significant hurdle.
As it stands, Joonas Korpisalo is set to start in the Bruins' season opener. This move puts pressure on Korpisalo to perform at a high level, especially given the expectations of Bruins' fans and the organization's ambitions this season.
The winter season's approaching Dec. 1 deadline adds another layer of urgency to the situation. If an agreement isn't reached by then, Swayman’s contract will not be valid for the upcoming season, putting both the player and the team in a precarious position. "We expect Jeremy to rejoin the team before Dec. 1," Sweeney optimistically projected, yet the clock is ticking.
In summary, the Boston Bruins are navigating through turbulent waters as they attempt to finalize Jeremy Swayman's contract amid a high-stakes environment. The outcomes of these negotiations will inevitably shape the team's season and potentially its future trajectory. For now, all eyes are on the Bruins' management and Swayman's camp as they work towards a resolution. Fans can only hope that the team can find a way to reconcile with their aspiring goaltender before it's too late.