Bruins Face Swayman Contract Standoff Amid Season Opener Against Panthers
Amidst the gleaming potential for the upcoming NHL season, the Boston Bruins are grappling with a significant contract dispute surrounding their promising goaltender, Jeremy Swayman. The 24-year-old missed the Bruins' training camp due to the ongoing negotiations, causing ripples of concern among fans and critics alike.
Swayman, who is anticipated to be the Bruins' primary starter, opted not to engage in arbitration this offseason—a move that signaled confidence yet left room for complexity in negotiations. As the Dec. 1 deadline looms, the situation has generated a whirlwind of speculation about the future of the Boston net.
Agent Lewis Gross, representing Swayman, has been vocal in defending his client amidst the swirling narratives. Gross remarked, "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."
The crux of the dispute appears to center around the terms of Swayman’s next contract. The Bruins have tabled an eight-year offer, but Swayman's camp is reportedly seeking an average annual value upwards of $9.5 million. This is a significant increase from the $3.475 million he earned last season on a one-year contract awarded through arbitration.
Adding more tension to the situation, the Bruins traded Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators during the offseason, vesting much of their goaltending hopes in Swayman. This move drew criticism, especially given that Swayman’s contract was yet to be secured. The decision, however, was defended by Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney, who stated, "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."
In light of this, the Bruins have had to improvise for the season opener. Joonas Korpisalo is set to start against the Florida Panthers on Oct. 8, stepping into a role that fans had initially anticipated for Swayman. Despite this adjustment, Sweeney maintains confidence in the path they've chosen, 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."
With the Dec. 1 deadline determining the validity of Swayman’s contract for the upcoming season, the Bruins' management remains hopeful but cautious. Sweeney shared an optimistic outlook by stating, "We expect Jeremy to rejoin the team before Dec. 1."
Cam Neely, President of the Bruins, reflected on the financial dynamics of the negotiations, highlighting the sensitive balance the team must strike. "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."
As the Bruins prepare to take on the Panthers without their hoped-for primary starter, fans are left in a state of uncertainty, hoping for a swift resolution. The outcome of these negotiations could have far-reaching implications for the team's season and its long-term vision. For now, all eyes are on the calendar and the negotiation table, where the future of Boston’s goaltending hangs in the balance.