"It's a really bizarre situation": NHL analyst questions Boston Bruins & Jeremy Swayman ever moving past '64 million reasons why' drama

By Abhilasha Aditi

Modified Oct 01, 2024 10:50 GMT

The contract talks between the Boston Bruins and Jeremy Swayman took a dramatic turn on Monday. And now, questions are rising about whether they can resolve their issues.

Frankie Corrado, a hockey analyst, discussed the situation on TSN. He noted the tension after Bruins President Cam Neely hinted at a $64 million offer being made to the goaltender. However, Swayman's camp has denied that any such offer was made.

Corrado was surprised by how contentious things have become, especially since the Boston Bruins usually have a stable environment.

"There's a lot of drama, and it's hard to imagine how they get past something like this," Corrado said (via TSN).

Corrado pointed out that this situation is unusual for the Bruins, who have a strong team culture.

"It's a really bizarre situation," Corrado said. "It's not something we see very often... the truth is somewhere in the middle. And that's the reality of this situation. The truth is somewhere in the middle."

Swayman is currently the only unsigned restricted free agent in the NHL. After the Bruins traded Linus Ullmark, Swayman has more leverage. He wants to maximize his earnings after a good playoff run.

President Cam Neely hinted that he wants to keep Swayman in Boston.

"I don't want to get into the weeds with what his ask is, but I know I have 64 million reasons why I'd be playing right now," he said (via NBCSportsBoston).

However, Jeremy Swayman’s exact demands are still unclear. Neely’s surprise suggests a gap between what Swayman wants and what the Boston Bruins are willing to offer. The NHL rules state that Swayman must sign by Dec. 1 to play this season.

Can Boston Bruins find common ground amid rising salary cap?

Jeremy Swayman’s agent, Louis Gross, responded to Cam Neely on social media. He said the $64 million figure was never mentioned before Neely's press conference.

The question is whether the Bruins can agree to a contract with Swayman. An eight-year deal worth $64 million would make him one of the highest-paid goalies. However, Swayman has not been a full-time starter. His playoff performance has been strong, but his overall stats may not support such a high salary compared to other top goalies.

Both sides need to think about the rising salary cap, which could impact the deal's value. Neely believes they will reach an agreement eventually. He thinks Swayman wants to stay with the Boston Bruins.

"I strongly believe Jeremy wants to play here. I've asked him flat out, do you want to play here, and he does," Neely said (via NBCSportsBoston). "I believe they'll get a deal done. It's unfortunate it's not done today."

However, recent events have created uncertainty in what seemed like an easy negotiation.