Jeremy Swayman sent clear message regarding Boston future before RFA saga

Jeremy Swayman is involved in difficult and lengthy contract talks with the Boston Bruins. He has been holding out in an effort to get a better and longer contract. So far, it has been to no avail. On Inside the NHL, a new docuseries around the sport, he expressed his feelings about the team before restricted free agency began.

Swayman wants to stay a Bruin forever, but he understands the business side of things. He said, via ESPN:

“I mean, I don’t want it to end. [This] could be the last time I wear a Bruins jersey. I know I’m going to do everything in my power to be a Bruin for a long time. As a kid growing up in Alaska, this was in my wildest f—ing dreams. I never want it to end. I’m just so grateful that the sun’s going to rise tomorrow and there’s another opportunity to get better.”

So far, he hasn’t played for the Bruins this preseason yet. He also reportedly turned down an eight-year deal worth $64 million. The team promoted Swayman to their primary goalkeeper when it traded Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators, but the Bruins have a new conundrum on their hands.

Jeremy Swayman’s agent criticizes Cam Neely for public comments

Cam Neely was asked recently about the negotiations with Jeremy Swayman. The Boston Bruins president said he didn’t want to get into specifics of what the player was asking for, but he revealed, though not in so many words, that they’d offered him a $64 million deal.

Jeremy Swayman discussed the challenges of arbitration (Imagn)

Swayman’s agent, Lewis Gross, said, via ESPN:

“Normally, I do not release statements or discuss negotiations through the media. However, in this case, I feel I need to defend my client. At today’s press conference, $64 million was referenced. That was the first time that number was discussed in our negotiations. Prior to the press conference, no offer was made reaching that level.

“We are extremely disappointed. This was not fair to Jeremy.”

It’s not often that a team discusses contract negotiations publicly, but Neely’s hint at what they’d offered Swayman was enough to upset the player’s camp as it denied any such offer.