The Boston Bruins find themselves in a precarious situation as contract negotiations with restricted free agent Jeremy Swayman have reached an impasse. Swayman, who is expected to be the team's primary starter in net, did not attend the Bruins' training camp as he awaited a renewed contract. This comes after an offseason where the club traded Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators, banking on Swayman to fill the void.
Agent Lewis Gross, representing Swayman, expressed his frustrations after Bruins' management addressed the situation publicly. "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," said Gross.
The Bruins' front office also shared their perspective on the negotiations. Team President Cam Neely commented, "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." This statement suggests a significant gap between what Swayman's camp is seeking and what the Bruins are willing to offer.
General Manager Don Sweeney elaborated on the team's decision-making process: "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."
The decision to trade Ullmark has not sat well with some Bruins' fans, especially without securing Swayman's new contract beforehand. Critics argue that the team has placed itself in a difficult position should the negotiations with Swayman fall through. However, Sweeney remains steadfast in his decision. "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," he stated.
As it stands, Joonas Korpisalo is set to start in the Bruins' season opener against the Florida Panthers on Oct. 8, leaving fans to wonder what the future holds for Swayman and the team. Swayman, who earned $3.475 million last season on a one-year contract awarded through arbitration, is reportedly seeking an average annual value upwards of $9.5 million. The Bruins have countered with an eight-year deal, but the specifics of the offer remain under wraps.
The approaching Dec. 1 deadline is crucial, as it will determine whether Swayman’s contract will be valid for the upcoming season. Bruins' management remains optimistic about reaching an agreement. "We expect Jeremy to rejoin the team before Dec. 1," Sweeney said.
Despite the ongoing dispute, it's evident that Jeremy Swayman's talent and potential have made him a priority for the Bruins. Armed with confidence, the young goaltender has shown flashes of brilliance that have earned him a spot as the team's potential primary starter. The coming weeks will be critical as both sides aim to bridge the gap and ensure that Swayman dons the Bruins' jersey once more.