Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney met with reporters at the opening of training camp on Wednesday, and goalie Jeremy Swayman’s name obviously came up.
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The tug-of-war between the goalie and the organization isn’t over. A restricted free agent who opted out of salary arbitration, the 25-year-old has been conspicuous by his absence, and if he doesn’t sign a new contract in the coming days, the Bruins may end up relying on Joonas Korpisalo to regularly defend their net early in the campaign. Then, if they want to count on Swayman in 2024-25, they’ll have to reach an agreement with him before December 1.
However, Sweeney said he was optimistic that the case could be resolved by that deadline. In the meantime, the goalie will remain apart from his teammates.
“He has decided to wait until an agreement is signed and that is his legitimate right. Our intention is to negotiate a new pact,” the DG said at a press briefing. “I am disappointed. When you establish priorities, you do your best to accomplish what is necessary. To date, I have not been able to succeed in that.”
The leader also had a specific message for journalists reporting information that he deemed inadequate. In particular, he described as false the rumors that claimed an agreement had been reached between the two parties concerned.
“To say I didn’t return someone’s calls for three weeks is bullshit,” he said.
Swayman will likely assume the No. 1 role in Boston after Linus Ullmark was traded to the Ottawa Senators. Last year, he had 25 wins in 43 starts and a .916 save percentage.
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