The Boston Bruins find themselves in the midst of a significant contract dispute involving their restricted free agent, Jeremy Swayman. With the season opener against the Florida Panthers on Oct. 8 fast approaching, the absence of Swayman from training camp has been a point of concern for both fans and management. Swayman, who was expected to be the Bruins' primary starter this season, has not secured a new contract, raising questions about the team's goaltending situation and decision-making in the offseason.
The discord began to unfold when Swayman, represented by agent Lewis Gross, decided against attending the training camp without a renewed contract. The 24-year-old netminder, who had earlier earned $3.475 million on a one-year deal awarded through arbitration, is now seeking a substantial raise. Sources indicate that Swayman's camp is looking for an average annual value upwards of $9.5 million, a figure that the Bruins have not matched in their negotiations.
Bruins' General Manager Don Sweeney has been vocal about the team’s strategic decisions, particularly in light of their recent trade of goaltender Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators. Ullmark, whose departure has been criticized by some, was part of a broader plan to address the team's roster needs through free agency.
"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.
However, the failure to secure Swayman's contract before trading Ullmark has drawn criticism toward the Bruins' management. With just over a month until the Dec. 1 deadline, which ultimately determines the validity of Swayman’s contract for the upcoming season, time is of the essence for both parties. The Bruins have reportedly offered Swayman an eight-year deal, but financial disagreements continue to be a sticking point.
Adding fuel to the fire was a statement from Gross, who felt compelled to respond to public comments made by the Bruins regarding the contract discussions. Gross stated,
"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 tension is palpable as Swayman remains absent, and the Bruins look toward Joonas Korpisalo as the starter for the season opener. Korpisalo, who is set to face the Panthers, will be under scrutiny to deliver strong performances in Swayman’s stead. The pressure mounts not just on the ice but also off it, as the Bruins' management must navigate this contract impasse swiftly and effectively.
"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,"
added Sweeney, in defense of the team's offseason moves.
Team President Cam Neely also weighed in, providing a blunt perspective on the 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."
As the clock ticks down to the December deadline, the Bruins are under pressure to ensure that Swayman returns to the team. Sweeney remains optimistic:
"We expect Jeremy to rejoin the team before Dec. 1."
For now, the Bruins and their fans must hold their breath and hope that a resolution is reached promptly. The team's performance in the upcoming season could hinge significantly on the successful negotiation and return of Jeremy Swayman to the fold.