As August wraps up, the Boston Bruins still have one contract situation to resolve for the upcoming season. the Goaltender remains unsigned as a restricted free agent. Following the trade of Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators in June, GM Don Sweeney needs to secure a deal with Swayman not only for this season but for the future.
Unlike last summer, neither Swayman nor the Bruins pursued arbitration this year, which left Swayman feeling unsettled. According to reports from Rich Keefe of WEEI, Swayman is looking for a contract worth around $10 million per year, while the Bruins currently have $8.6 million in cap space. NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman also noted on his 32Thoughts podcast that Swayman and the Bruins are not close to finalizing a new deal. On a recent podcast, Swayman discussed his contract negotiations.
In an interview on the Shut Up Marc podcast, Swayman reflected on the ongoing talks, drawing comparisons to last year’s experience.
“If you had asked me this question a year ago, I would have said it’s frightening,” Swayman admitted. “There’s a lot of frustration when you’re putting in endless effort and not being properly compensated, especially when it’s for your family’s sake.”
This year, Swayman feels he has a better grasp of the business side of hockey. “I’ve educated myself and developed a new perspective on the business aspects,” he explained. “I’m aware of the salary cap trends and where it’s headed, and I know my value compared to others. I don’t want to set a bad precedent for future goalies in similar situations.”
Last season, Swayman signed a one-year, $3.475 million contract, which he now considers a bargain. He’s determined not to accept a similar deal this time. With training camp at Warrior Ice Arena three weeks away, there’s still time for negotiations, but it’s uncertain whether he’ll be on the ice for the first day. Although Swayman appears keen to stay with the Bruins, he seems intent on securing a deal that reflects his value. The situation remains unresolved.
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