Bruins
As Jim Montgomery and Boston's coaching staff attempt to get the present roster on top of things before October eighth, much of the give attention to the Bruins is concentrated on the one starter who isn't on the ice: Jeremy Swayman.
The Bruins and Swayman still haven’t agreed to a brand new contract at this point within the preseason, and Montgomery has already named veteran Joonas Korpisalo as Boston's starting goalie next week against the Panthers.
The already contentious and protracted negotiations between the Bruins and Swayman's camp reached a climax on Monday.
Just hours after Bruins president Cam Neely suggested that the Bruins had offered Swayman a $64 million contract, Swayman's agent – Lewis Gross – released an announcement refuting that claim, noting that ” “No offer of this amount had been made before the press conference.”
“We are extremely disappointed,” Gross said in his statement. “That wasn’t fair to Jeremy. We will take a few days to discuss what happens next.”
Monday's news appears to be a major setback for everyone involved in closing the gap on a new contract for the 25-year-old goalkeeper.
But amid fears that Swayman might either fail to put pen to paper on a deal all season long or request a trade outright, Bruins captain Brad Marchand tried to lower the temperature on Tuesday.
“I wouldn’t say it’s hard to keep it out of the room,” Marchand said of the ongoing drama between Swayman and the Bruins. “Even today and afterwards there isn’t much talk about it. We all understand the situation the team and Sway are in. That's part of the game. It's part of the business.
“It’s a part that no one enjoys. And eventually a deal will happen and everyone will move on and be fine. One of the biggest problems is the stress and pressure that these negotiations bring. …Once you sign, so much weight is lifted off your shoulders, not just the player's shoulders but the team's shoulders as well. And then it’s just about coming together and finding a way to win and working toward that goal.”
On Tuesday, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli remarked on “Morning Cuppa Hockey” podcast that the Bruins have offered Swayman an eight-year contract with a mean annual value of $7.8 million. That would equal $62.4 million — lower than the $64 million Neely proposed Monday.
Given Gross' statement, the Bruins could now have eight years and $64 million on the table after Monday's press conference. But Seravalli added that Swayman and his camp are searching for a deal price around $8.5 million per 12 months.
“[Swayman and Gross] “I’m very disappointed with what Neely said,” Seravalli said. “I believe for those who have a look at it from either side' perspectives… it really gave the impression of a tactical mistake by the Bruins.
“It felt like a team collapsing under the load because they probably won't have their future No. 1 in net in the beginning of the season. … From what I understand, the Bruins offered eight years x $7.8 million, which is $62.4 [million]. … I believe the Swayman camp asked for eight [years] x $8.5 million, so $68 million, and the Bruins were at about $6.5 million [million].
“So the Bruins went from $6.5 to $7.8 [million, they feel like they’ve moved a lot. .. They probably think, “Hey, we’ve moved a ton, now it’s your turn,” and the fact that hasn’t happened apparently has them frustrated.”
As both the Bruins and Swayman’s group determine the next steps in their precarious contract talks, Marchand added that he’s looking forward to the promising goalie back in Boston’s dressing room.
“It’s tough because we all care about Sway,” Marchand said. “We want to see him back. But again, it’s part of the business. … I talk to Sway. I mean, he’s a very competitive kid. He’s very dedicated.
“He’s going to do what he has to do to be prepared and come back in the best shape he possibly can. He has that chip on his shoulder that he’s going to compete and get prepared. At the same time, it’s hard to replicate NHL reps, especially this time of year. So we’re looking forward to the day he gets back.”
image credit : www.boston.com