As the Boston Bruins prepare to kick off training camp on Wednesday, a cloud of uncertainty lingers over the status of their 25-year-old goaltender, Jeremy Swayman. Despite the approaching season, Swayman has yet to reach a new contract agreement with the team, with negotiations reportedly hitting several roadblocks over the summer.
Reports, including one from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, indicate that Swayman’s camp is pushing for a significant pay raise following his impressive 2023-24 season, where he earned $3.475 million. According to Friedman, Swayman’s team has been eyeing a deal similar to Charlie McAvoy’s, which commands a hefty $9.5 million per year.
“I’ve heard the McAvoy contract was the ask, which was $9.5 million,” Friedman said on his “32 Thoughts” podcast. “There’s clearly a significant gap between what Swayman wants and what the Bruins are willing to offer.”
Boston, on the other hand, is reportedly offering a more modest contract in the range of $6-6.5 million per year. Although an eight-year deal was once discussed, it did not meet the demands of Swayman’s camp. “At one point, there was an eight-year deal on the table, but it was in the sixes,” Friedman added. “No one has been close in negotiations.”
Friedman provided an update in his latest “32 Thoughts” column, revealing that talks between the Bruins and Swayman have not made much progress, noting that both sides are still trying to overcome “philosophical differences.”
However, there’s some good news for the Bruins: Swayman remains committed to staying in Boston long-term, despite the ongoing challenges. The star goaltender has openly discussed how much he disliked going through arbitration with the Bruins last offseason, even though it was his camp that opted for arbitration in 2023. Despite any lingering tensions from that process, Swayman has expressed his desire to remain with the Bruins.
“I know it will take care of itself with time,” Swayman said last month at the WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon. “All I can do is focus on being a better goalie for the Boston Bruins this year. I couldn’t be happier to be a Bruin.”
For now, it’s unclear what both sides are prioritizing in these extended negotiations. Bruins general manager Don Sweeney remained non-committal when asked for an update, simply stating, “We’ll talk next week,” during a recent interview with The Boston Globe.
Despite Swayman’s impressive playoff performance, the Bruins may have some hesitation about handing him a top-tier salary. Currently, only four active NHL goalies earn more than $6.4 million annually. Swayman might be banking on his continued development and the expected rise in the NHL salary cap in the coming years to justify his contract demands.
In a candid interview on the “Shut Up Marc Podcast,” Swayman admitted that contract negotiations can be stressful. “A year ago, I would have said it’s scary,” he said. “There’s a lot of resentment when you’re not being compensated for your efforts. It’s nerve-wracking because you’re fighting for your family.”
As negotiations continue, Bruins fans will be watching closely, hoping that the team can come to terms with one of its cornerstone players.
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