Contract negotiations can be quite uncomfortable.
At some point in our lives, we all end up in a situation where we must negotiate with a superior. You may feel your worth is one amount, while they propose a different figure. It’s inevitable that one party will leave feeling disappointed. For restricted free agent Jeremy Swayman and Don Sweeney, this discomfort is compounded by the fact that they’ve experienced it twice in the last two years.
Many theories have circulated about the situation, but the truth remains elusive. However, a resolution appears to be on the horizon. In late August, speculation about Swayman and the Boston Bruins gained significant attention when Rich Keefe of WEEI reported that Swayman, supported by his agent Lewis Gross, sought a contract with an average annual value of $10 million.
Is this request credible? It’s reasonable to consider it, especially given Gross’s recent work on the William Nylander contract.
The timing of this request in relation to the negotiation process is unclear. If Swayman’s stance was indeed a “take it or leave it” offer of $10 million, it’s unlikely he would have waited until August to express it. Typically, a player who believes they are worth that amount would voice their opinion well in advance. Furthermore, if Boston was unwilling to meet that figure, why would Don Sweeney risk a tight situation by trading Linus Ullmark before the season, when he had one year left at $5 million?
Additionally, any rumor with that level of significance in late summer would likely grab the attention of every beat reporter. Yet, it took several days for any substantial details to come to light.
On Friday, Elliott Friedman mentioned on his “32 Thoughts” podcast that uncovering the current status of negotiations has been challenging, stating, “the team won’t talk, and the player won’t talk.” He referred to a report by Ryan Whitney from “Spittin Chiclets,” confirming that Boston’s current offer stands at 4 years for $6.2 million, which has not been contested.
Friedman also noted that at one point, the Bruins had proposed an 8-year deal, but it was in the six million dollar range.
When asking around the league about the Bruins’ firm stance in the Swayman negotiations, Friedman received a noteworthy perspective: “While there isn’t a sense of disbelief in Swayman, he has only played in 131 career games.”
TSN’s Darren Dreger tempered expectations on Monday by suggesting that although a deal isn’t imminent, negotiations may be closer than reported. A notable aspect of the ongoing process is Jeremy Swayman’s growth. He has demonstrated his commitment to the Boston Bruins by training and participating in team activities during the summer. His appearance on the ‘Shut Up Marc’ podcast shed light on his increased understanding of the business side of hockey, particularly following last year’s arbitration experience. Swayman’s acknowledgment of the evolving salary cap, player comparables, and his responsibility not to disrupt the goalie market showcases his newfound perspective. Boston aims for Swayman to be a long-term goaltending solution and is prepared to reward him for his potential, despite his limited NHL experience, setting the stage for future salary adjustments. While the Bruins have historically navigated contract negotiations with young talents like Charlie McAvoy and David Pastrnak, Swayman seems inclined to prioritize the goalie market’s integrity and the interests of upcoming players. Despite the limited insight available, the key decision-makers must find common ground to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
