Boston Bruins fans are on edge as the team finds itself in a contract impasse with restricted free agent Jeremy Swayman. The 24-year-old netminder, expected to be the Bruins' primary starter this season, is currently at odds with the team over financial terms, leaving his attendance in the upcoming season in limbo.
Training Camp Absence
The preseason kicked off with a noticeable absence. Jeremy Swayman did not attend the Bruins' training camp, an anticipated move given his unresolved contract status. As the Dec. 1 deadline looms, the clock is ticking to ensure that Swayman will be on the ice for the Bruins this season.
Seeking a Lucrative Deal
The Bruins have reportedly offered Swayman an eight-year contract; however, his camp, led by agent Lewis Gross, is holding out for an average annual value of upwards of $9.5 million. This is a significant leap from Swayman's previous earnings, having made $3.475 million last season through arbitration.
"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 shared. "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."
Bruins’ Management Under Fire
The Bruins haven’t escaped criticism in this situation. During the offseason, they traded Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators, a move that many saw as a strategic decision to focus their goaltending future on Swayman. General Manager Don Sweeney commented, "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."
Trading Ullmark before securing Swayman's contract has left some questioning the prudence of the Bruins' management. "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," Sweeney maintained.
Season Opener Challenge
Reflecting the current uncertainty, the Bruins have named Joonas Korpisalo as their starter for the season opener against the Florida Panthers on Oct. 8. This decision underscores the urgency of resolving Swayman's contract to solidify the team's goaltending roster.
Hope for Resolution
Despite the setbacks, there remains hope within the Bruins' camp that an agreement will be reached. "We expect Jeremy to rejoin the team before Dec. 1," said Sweeney, indicating that the organization is still optimistic about finalizing the deal.
Team President Cam Neely also weighed in on the situation, 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."
As both parties continue their negotiations, the outcome will significantly impact the Bruins' season and the future of their goaltending landscape. The pressure is on for the Bruins to not only secure their primary starter but also to demonstrate strategic acumen and foresight in their management decisions.
For now, Bruins fans can only wait and hope that the contract saga concludes favorably before the critical Dec. 1 deadline, ensuring that their net stays well-guarded for the battles that lie ahead.