Buckle up, the Jeremy Swayman contract negotiations have additional drama to it. Earlier today, President and Alternate Governor of the Boston Bruins, Cam Neely, claimed that he has 64 million reasons why he’d be playing right now.
This references the apparent offer that the Bruins have given Jeremy Swayman, which is likely an eight-year contract worth $8 million annually. The restricted free agent has arbitration rights but has said that arbitration is not the route he wanted to take with the team a second time around.
“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.” – Cam Neely during Bruins start-of-season press conference
To no surprise, Jeremy Swayman’s contract situation was on the front of the stove when it came to topics asked by the media in this press conference.
When it was said and done, it seemed like the ball would be left in Swayman’s camp for a little while. However, Swayman’s agent, Lewis Gross, fired back at the comments by Cam Neely which only puts more gas onto this already raging blaze.
Via the SPM Hockey social media accounts, Lewis Gross released a statement:
“Normally, I do not release statements or discuss negotiations through the media. However, in this case, I feel I need to defend my client. At today’s press conference, $64 million was referenced. This was the first time that number was discussed in our negotiations. Prior to the press conference, no offer was made reaching that level.”
“We are extremely dissapointed. This was not fair to Jeremy. We will take a few days to discuss where we go from here.” – Lewis Gross’s statement through SPM Hockey via social media
With many reports surfacing regarding the 2024-25 season for Jeremy Swayman, it’s a difficult situation to navigate. Gross has a reputation of being a tough negotiator similar to Kurt Overhardt. Gross gave the Toronto Maple Leafs a hardball negotiation with client William Nylander and former Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jacket Johnny Gaudreau.
More people within the Professional Hockey Writers Association later came to defend Paul Bissonnette of Spittin’ Chiclets after Don Sweeney called out Bissonnette for the “Spittin’ Up on Yourself podcast.” This refers to Bissonnette’s earlier comments on a Spittin’ Chiclets episode claiming Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney did not return Swayman’s camps calls for three weeks.
Once more news becomes available, it will be reported at Inside The Rink.
