Bruins Face Contract Controversy with Jeremy Swayman
The Boston Bruins find themselves in a challenging predicament as they navigate a contract dispute with restricted free agent Jeremy Swayman. This impasse has significant implications for the team, with Swayman poised to step into the spotlight as the Bruins' primary starter this season.
With the absence of a new contract, Swayman was notably missing from the Bruins' training camp. His decision to forego arbitration this offseason has added a layer of complexity to the negotiations, intensifying the pressure on Bruins' management to secure a deal before the critical Dec. 1 deadline. This date will determine whether Swayman's contract is valid for the upcoming season.
Swayman's agent, Lewis Gross, has voiced his concerns publicly, a rare move intended to defend his client amidst the ongoing contract negotiations. "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 said. This statement highlights the disconnect between the two parties regarding salary expectations.
The Bruins have already extended an eight-year deal to Swayman, but his camp is seeking an average annual value upwards of $9.5 million. Last season, Swayman earned $3.475 million on a one-year contract awarded through arbitration, setting the stage for the current high-stakes negotiation.
Compounding the situation is the Bruins' offseason decision to trade Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators. Bruins' management faced criticism for not securing Swayman’s new contract before making this move, leaving the team in a precarious position. General Manager Don Sweeney defended the decision, stating, "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 further emphasized his confidence in the decision, despite the ensuing contract controversy. "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 added. The Bruins' faith in Swayman as their future starting goaltender remains evident, and Sweeney expressed optimism that the young netminder will rejoin the team before the deadline. "We expect Jeremy to rejoin the team before Dec. 1," Sweeney said.
Meanwhile, Joonas Korpisalo is set to start in the Bruins' season opener against the Florida Panthers on Oct. 8, stepping in as a temporary solution while the contract dispute continues. The team's decision to rely on Korpisalo, a seasoned goaltender, underscores the urgency of finalizing Swayman’s contract to solidify their long-term goaltending strategy.
In light of the ongoing negotiations, Bruins President Cam Neely refrained from delving into specific details but did acknowledge the substantial financial offer on the table. "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, hinting at the sizable commitment the Bruins are prepared to make for Swayman's future.
The Bruins’ management and Swayman's camp are under intense scrutiny as the Dec. 1 deadline looms. The outcome of this contract dispute will not only impact Swayman’s career trajectory but also shape the Bruins' performance in the upcoming season. Both parties are undoubtedly aware of the stakes, and fans eagerly await a resolution that ensures the Bruins can move forward with their goaltending cornerstone firmly in place.