The Boston Bruins find themselves in a tricky position as contract negotiations with restricted free agent Jeremy Swayman have hit a significant roadblock. Swayman, who is anticipated to step up as the Bruins' primary starter, did not show up at the team’s training camp, citing the absence of a renewed contract.
The tension in the negotiations is palpable, especially after Swayman decided to forego arbitration this offseason. However, the situation took a more contentious turn after the Bruins’ management faced criticism for trading Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators, without first securing Swayman.
Swayman Seeks Significant Raise
While the Bruins have offered Swayman an eight-year deal, the young goaltender's camp is holding out for an average annual value upwards of $9.5 million. This is a notable increase from the $3.475 million Swayman earned last season on a one-year contract awarded through arbitration.
In a rare move, Lewis Gross, Swayman’s agent, issued a public statement defending his client. "Normally, I do not release statements or discuss negotiations through the media. However, in this case, I feel I need to defend my client,” Gross stated. He added, "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."
Team Dynamics: Swayman and Ullmark
The trading of Ullmark, who performed admirably last season, has opened a slot for Swayman, yet it’s added fuel to the criticism facing the Bruins' management. General Manager Don Sweeney defended the decision, explaining the difficult choices the team had to make.
"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 said. His confidence in the team's decision didn't waver as he continued, "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."
Bruins' Tactical Moves
Despite the internal turmoil, the Bruins are preparing to start the season with Joonas Korpisalo between the pipes for their opener against the Florida Panthers on Oct. 8. This move indicates the team's tactical adjustments amid Swayman's ongoing contract dispute.
Cam Neely, the Bruins' President, added a nuanced view on the matter during a recent media interaction, stating, "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."
Deadline Looms Large
As the Dec. 1 deadline approaches, the urgency for a resolution grows. This deadline will determine whether Swayman's contract will be valid for the upcoming season, placing additional pressure on both sides to come to an agreement.
In a forward-looking statement, Sweeney expressed optimism, saying, "We expect Jeremy to rejoin the team before Dec. 1." While the sentiment is positive, the clock is ticking, and the Bruins' future in the goaltending department remains uncertain until a deal is struck.
As negotiations continue, the hockey world watches closely, aware that the outcome will significantly impact the Bruins' chances in the upcoming season. Whether Swayman re-signs or the team has to make further roster adjustments, the saga is far from over, promising further twists and turns in an already dramatic offseason.