A Surprising Development in Bruins Negotiations with Jeremy Swayman
The NHL regular season is two weeks out from the start, and Jeremy Swayman, the Bruins starting goalie is one NHL RFA who has yet to be signed.
NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun has reported that GM Don Sweeney and goalie Jeremy Swayman are still in negotiations. But the team and Swayman have settled on their terms, and price which has pushed forward the deadline for the goalie and the team.
It was expected to be December 1st for the new deadline, but it could be as soon as October 10th.
"The key thing is that Swayman is still very focused on getting an eight-year deal. That's still the No. 1 priority for him, and the Bruins are looking at a long-term deal as well. But, you can't have the [New York Rangers goaltender Igor] Shesterkin discussion without having Swayman tied into it in the sense that they are different negotiations. Swayman, in terms of the collective bargaining agreement, isn't at the same leverage point because he won't be a UFA at the end of the year. So, Shesterkin has the higher leverage point.
"...Just because all these goalies [across the league] are signing for whatever they signed for the last couple years, Swayman can't find a way to push through. I think we're seeing that in his negotiations with the Bruins, so it's a fascinating one."
Shesterkin and Swayman are similar in many ways, as they're two of the top goalies in the NHL. They're both negotiating new deals with their respective GM's and both apparently want to sign deals that get them paid similarly, and not take team-friendly deals.
Swayman would discuss the issue on the "Shut Up Marc" Podcast which detailed his perspective on negotiations.
«The answer I'm going to give you this year is that I've educated myself, and that I understand the business side of it all. And it's given me a complete new mindset of understanding the business and how to react to it.
"I understand the cap is going up and where it will be in years. I understand my comparables and how I can't ruin the goalie market for other guys that are going to be in my shoes down the line." - Swayman
There's no definitive answer as to where Swayman and the Bruins are in terms of contract negotiations.
But if there's anything there should be red flags all around the front office, as the season approaches and Swayman remains out of the training camp lineup.
Source: Bruins Latest
New development: Jeremy Swayman negotiations take surprising turn
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 26 | 77 ANSWERS A Surprising Development in Bruins Negotiations with Jeremy Swayman Will Jeremy Swayman sign a contract before October 10th? | ||
| Yes | 25 | 32.5 % |
| No | 52 | 67.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
