BOSTON — Boston Bruins president Cam Neely suggested on Monday that the team has made an eight-year offer to unsigned restricted free agent goaltender Jeremy Swayman at $8 million annually.
“I don’t want to get into the weeds with what his ask is,” Neely said at a press conference at TD Garden. “But I know that I have 64 million reasons why I’d be playing right now.”
Neely did not disclose what Swayman’s ask has been but said he was surprised by it.
So far, Swayman is holding firm to his demand. It aligns with his personality of not backing down, especially following his uncomfortable 2023 arbitration hearing. According to Neely, Swayman wants to set a new market for goalies, specifically ones under team control.
“What his ask is and what we believe his comp group is,” Neely said, “are two different things.”
General manager Don Sweeney said he remains in contact with Lewis Gross, Swayman’s agent. The Bruins are not interested in trading Swayman.
“Ultimately, we’re a better team, as I’ve said along, if Jeremy is part of our hockey club,” Sweeney said. “That’s my intention. That’s my wish. I’ll continue to work to do that. I think Jeremy and the team are both hurt in this regard. That’s what I’ll do. I’ll continue to work hard to find a settling point.”
With only three preseason games left, it is likely Swayman will miss regular-season time, even if an agreement is pending. Coach Jim Montgomery designated Joonas Korpisalo as his goalie for the regular-season opener against the Florida Panthers on Oct. 8, regardless of Swayman’s situation. The Bruins have two full practices remaining in camp.
“Where we are in camp right now, with how well camp has gone and how well Korpisalo has done,” Montgomery said, “right now, he’s going to be our Game 1 starter.”
(Photo: Dave Sandford / NHLI via Getty Images)
