Intensifying Contract Dispute between Boston Bruins and Jeremy Swayman

An escalating contract dispute between the Boston Bruins and Jeremy Swayman, their restricted free-agent, reached a boiling point recently. Swayman’s agent strongly refuted the Bruins’ publicized offer, adding a new twist to the saga.

Nonattendance at Bruins Training Camp

Swayman, at age 25, made the decision not to show up at the Bruins’ training camp until a new contract was secured. The team’s coach, Jim Montgomery, subsequently announced that Joonas Korpisalo is slated to kick off the season for the Bruins as their starting goaltender in their opener against the Florida Panthers on October 8.

Contract Discussions Become Public

At a preseason press meeting in Boston, Cam Neely, the team’s president, expressed his belief that Swayman is keen to continue playing for the Bruins. However, he lamented the fact that a contract has not yet been finalized. In a surprising twist, Swayman’s agent, Lewis Gross, challenged the Bruins’ publicized contract figures while expressing dismay over the public discussion of these figures.

Gross Defends Client

Typically avoiding media discussions, Gross felt compelled to defend his client in this instance. He refuted the alleged $64 million offer, stating that this figure was never previously discussed in their negotiations. He expressed disappointment and claimed that this negotiation process has been unfair to Swayman. The agent revealed they would need a few days to decide on their next course of action.

Bruins Remain Silent on Gross’s Claims

When contacted by ESPN’s Kristen Shilton, the Bruins opted not to comment on Gross’s allegations. Conversely, Neely expressed surprise at Swayman’s demands, suspecting that Swayman is hoping to redefine the goaltender market with his contract.

Swayman’s Expected Role

Swayman is projected to be the Bruins’ primary starting goaltender following the trade of goalie Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators. This pair was the NHL’s top duo over the past three seasons, aiding the Bruins in maintaining the lowest average of goals against (2.49) during that time.

Criticism over Bruins’ Management

Bruins’ general manager, Sweeney, has faced criticism for not securing Swayman’s contract before trading Ullmark, thereby affecting the team’s bargaining position. He has, however, defended the decisions, stating that the trade and contract negotiations are unrelated.

Swayman’s Career and Future

Entering his fifth NHL season, Swayman boasts a record of 79-33-15, with a .919 save percentage and a 2.34 goals-against average. His last contract, awarded through arbitration, was a one-year deal worth $3.475 million. The news is rife with reports that the Bruins have offered Swayman an eight-year contract, the maximum length the NHL allows. Reports also suggest that Swayman’s camp is seeking an average annual value of over $9.5 million for his next contract. Sweeney remains hopeful that Swayman will rejoin the team before the December 1 deadline, which is necessary for the contract to be valid for this season.