The start of the NHL season is fast approaching, but Jeremy Swayman and the Boston Bruins still haven’t come to an agreement.
Posted at 1:29 p.m.
Updated at 2:09 p.m.
In a press conference with Boston media on Monday, Bruins president Cam Neely was quite clear about what had been offered to the goaltender, who is currently a restricted free agent.
“I don’t want to go into detail about what he’s asking, but I know I have 64 million reasons why I would play right now,” he suggested.
PHOTO STEVEN SENNE, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cam Neely, en 2010
Obviously, Swayman is not at Bruins training camp. For the moment, it is Joonas Korpisalo who must start for the first match of the season, on October 8, according to what head coach Jim Montgomery announced. Korpisalo was acquired during the summer in a trade with the Ottawa Senators.
“Jeremy chose his position, and I respect it,” said general manager Don Sweeney. […] Ultimately, we are a better team if Jeremy is part of our club. This is my intention, my wish, and I will continue to work in this direction. »
Swayman, a fourth-round pick in 2017, finished last season with a .916 save percentage and a 2.53 goals-against average in 44 games.
This is not the first time that negotiations have been lengthy between Swayman and the Boston team. In 2022-2023, after a campaign as second to Linus Ullmark, the 25-year-old goalkeeper went to arbitration; he finally signed a one-year contract worth $3,475 million on 1is August 2023.
In a podcast interview Shut Up Marcat the end of August, the goalkeeper was asked about contract negotiations, about how he approaches it.
“I educated myself and understand the business side of it all,” he replied. It gave me a whole new mindset to understand the business side and how to respond to it. I understand that the salary cap is increasing and I understand where it will be in the years to come. I understand my peers. I can’t ruin the goalie market for other guys who will be in my place later. »
