The negotiations between the Boston Bruins and goaltender Jeremy Swayman have been making headlines due to a reported $64 million offer that Swayman’s agent, Lewis Gross, denies was ever made. During a media session on Monday, Bruins president Cam Neely commented on the ongoing contract discussions with Swayman, hinting that the team had made a significant offer. Neely’s remark, “I don’t know about him, but I have 64 million reasons why I’d be playing,” implied that Swayman had been presented with a substantial deal.
However, Gross quickly dismissed the notion that such an offer had been made, calling the $64 million figure a “farce.” He clarified that the number had been mentioned for the first time during the press conference, and no such contract proposal had been part of their earlier discussions. Gross emphasized that he doesn’t typically discuss negotiations publicly, but in this case, he felt compelled to speak out to defend Swayman.
Gross expressed disappointment with how the situation was handled, saying, “This was not fair to Jeremy,” and indicated that they would need a few days to determine their next steps.
Swayman has not yet signed a contract with the Bruins and did not report to training camp. Meanwhile, Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs, son of team owner Jeremy Jacobs, said that the team aims to do right by Swayman while also considering the organization’s best interests. Jacobs acknowledged that he doesn’t fault players for pursuing large contracts and reiterated that the team is working to ensure they have a competitive roster. He also confirmed that the Bruins are in constant communication with Swayman and Gross, hoping to reach an agreement soon.
As the situation remains unresolved, Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery has begun preparing for a season without Swayman. The team plans to start Joonas Korpisalo as the primary goaltender for the 2024-25 season, with the opener scheduled against the Florida Panthers on October 8. Korpisalo, who was acquired in the offseason alongside Marc Kastelic in the trade that sent Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators, was initially expected to serve as Swayman’s backup. Now, he may take on a larger role for the Bruins moving forward.
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