September 9, 2024 | 11:59aM ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

SWAYMAN, BRUINS WORKING AWAY ON DEAL

Jeremy Swayman, goaltender

Contract negotiations between the Boston Bruins and restricted free agent star goaltender Jeremy Swayman remain ongoing, despite what appears to be a sizeable gap in the dollars between the two sides.

It had been first reported by former NHLer Ryan Whitney on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast last week that the Bruins had, at one point, tabled a four-year offer to Swayman worth $6.2 million per season. Swayman’s camp is believed to be looking for a long-term deal worth in between $9 million and $10 million per season.

As reported by TFP’s David Pagnotta on Monday morning on Sportsnet960’s “Big Show” in Calgary, both sides remain confident a deal will be ironed out as contract talks continued over the weekend, though possibly not as confident as “10 days ago.”

During an appearance on TSN1050’s “First Up” in Toronto on Monday morning, as well, TSN’s Darren Dreger also reported a deal between the Bruins and Swayman may not be as far off as it seems.

“He’s confident they’re going to get that deal done,” Dreger said.

“I think they’re going to get something done. I’m not saying it’s imminent, but I do think the negotiations are probably closer than what we’re reading about.”

Swayman has remained in Boston for most of the summer and has been training with his Bruins teammates in preparation for the 2024-25 campaign.

Dreger noted part of Boston’s hesitation to give Swayman a large, long-term deal is that he has only played in 132 career NHL regular-season games, 125 of which have been starts, since entering the League in 2020-21.

“When you look at the resume of Jeremy Swayman, he hasn’t played a ton in the National Hockey League, so I think Boston is a little reluctant to give him the mega bucks,” Dreger said.

Contract discussions are expected to continue this week as the two sides try to close the gap and finalize a new deal.

In 44 games with the Bruins last season, Swayman posted a 25-10-8 record with a 2.53 goals-against-average, a .916 save percentage and three shutouts.