Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
To no surprise, the hottest topic at the Boston Bruins’ start-of-season press conference on Monday was the status of RFA goaltender Jeremy Swayman.
Bruins GM Don Sweeney, coach Jim Montgomery and president Cam Neely spoke about the standoff between Swayman and the team. Any comment they make, as well as any comment the Swayman camp makes, can affect negotiations and the long-term relationship.
With that, Neely floated out a specific number that many translated as what Boston has already offered Swayman.
“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,” Neely said of Swayman.
“(W)hat his ask is and what we believe his (comparison) group is are two different things.”
Swayman’s agent, Lewis Gross, said in a statement that was the first time $64 million was discussed in negotiations, with no other offer reaching that level.
“We are extremely disappointed,” Gross wrote. “This was not fair to Jeremy. We will take a few days to discuss where to go from here.”
— SPM (@SPMsports) September 30, 2024
There’s a lengthy and often painful history of NHLers being damaged emotionally by management’s hard line on contracts, and the longer this current situation plays out with Swayman, the harder it will be to put Bruins brass and Swayman on the same page for the long term.
This isn’t to argue Boston doesn’t have a right to try creating as much of a bargain for Swayman’s services as possible. Teams have had these types of staredowns with their players before, and once a new contract is made, any hard feelings between the two parties subside.
But considering how crucial Swayman is to the Bruins’ short- and long-term success, being a hardliner here is playing with fire. Although trading Swayman still feels like an unnecessary, far-fetched move, Swayman’s residual feelings over this predicament couldn’t rule out a parting of the ways at some point, even if they sign a lengthy deal for now.
If that turns out to be the case, you’d have to say Boston’s game plan in negotiations here was seriously flawed. But Neely also made it abundantly clear that Boston wants him around and vice versa.
“I strongly believe that Jeremy wants to play here,” Neely said. “I’ve asked him flat out, ‘Do you want to play here?’ And he does. I believe that (the two sides will) get a deal done. It’s unfortunate it’s not done today.”
Added Sweeney: “Jeremy is taking his position – I respect his position, and to some degree, he probably respects ours.
“Ultimately, we’re a better team, as I’ve said all along, if Jeremy is part of our hockey club. That’s my intention, that’s my wish, and I’ll continue to work to do that. You know, I think Jeremy and the team are both hurt in this regard, and that’s what I’ll do – I’ll just try and work hard to find a settlement point.”
There’s a legitimate question about how productive or harmful those comments are to negotiations as well. Bruins management gets brownie (or Bruinie, as it were) points for appearing open on the surface to a long-term deal with Swayman. But on a strict player-and-employer basis, it does feel like they’re suggesting Swayman is being unreasonable.
Related: Bruins Give Update On Swayman Negotiations: ‘I Have 64-Million Reasons Why I’d Be Playing Right Now’
What’s Boston’s Plan B?
While this saga continues, Sweeney and Montgomery also focused on new netminder Joonas Korpisalo, who acquired this summer from Ottawa in exchange for veteran Linus Ullmark. Korpisalo will almost assuredly be Boston’s starter for Game 1 on Oct. 8 against the defending Stanley Cup-champion Florida Panthers, per Montgomery.
“Our staff has done a really good job of recognizing the players that are here, and that that’s where the focus has been,” Sweeney told reporters. “(Bruins goalie coach) Bob Essensa has worked, as I referenced early in camp, that he would work extensively with all of our goaltenders. But he feels comfortable with the work thus far that Korpisalo has put in, the game that he’s played thus far.
If you’d asked them at the start of the off-season, few people would’ve believed Swayman’s negotiations would come to where they’re at today. And while Sweeney said he “would never begrudge a player asking for what he thinks his value is,” there is a point where missing out on training camp affects Swayman’s ability to step in and assume his role as the team’s No. 1 option in net.
“The longer you go without seeing NHL shots, and the longer you go without seeing that kind of tempo and pace in front of you, whether it’s 5-on-5 scrimmages like we’ve been doing every practice, or getting the game reps, the further back you get pushed,” Montgomery said.
Whatever the case may be, the Bruins’ comments today and the response from the Swayman camp make it seem like there’s a long way to go before a deal gets done. That will only risk more problems down the road.
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News Summary:
- Bruins Brass' New Comments On Swayman's Contract Situation Became A Problem
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