Boston Bruins management has made statements in recent days about the likelihood of the team being able to sign restricted free-agent goaltender Jeremy Swayman to a contract extension before training camp begins in mid-September. Reports have indicated that the club and the player are far apart in discussions, and if WEEI Sports Radio’s Rich Keefe’s comments on the Jones & Keefe show are any indication, Swayman’s asking price is the culprit.
Keefe, who began a midday show on Monday with Adam Jones on the Boston-based 93.7 FM radio station, gave his “scoop” on contract negotiations between the two sides and mentioned that the number that Swayman is seeking is $10 million average annual salary. This would explain the impasse between the club and the netminder. In the past week or so, both Team President Cam Neely and Head Coach Jim Montgomery expressed confidence that a deal would get done.
If the team agrees to a $10 million price tag, that would make the Alaska native tied for second in the league among goalies in salary behind Montreal’s Carey Price ($10.5 million per year) and equal to Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky ($10 million per year). Swayman has been in the top five in save percentage in the NHL each of the last two seasons and won the Jennings Trophy with former teammate Linus Ullmark after the 2022-23 season.
The Bruins traded Ullmark in a package that included the acquisition of goaltender Joonas Korpisalo from the Ottawa Senators. Korpisalo is signed for the next four seasons. The Bruins also have two goaltenders with their AHL affiliate Providence Bruins, Brandon Bussi and Michael DiPietro who could be ready to make the jump to the NHL club soon. However, Swayman is the top option and all indications are that the team will sign the former Hobey Baker finalist before camp begins. Last offseason, the team and Swayman went to arbitration and the 25-year-old goalie was vocal about how he disliked the process.
There are four weeks left before the preseason opener for Boston and the saga of Jeremy Swayman should continue at least until camp begins.
