The Boston Bruins have had a busy offseason, but they still have one significant move left to make - re-signing restricted free agent and star goaltender Jeremy Swayman.
Earlier this month, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported that the Bruins and Swayman still had more work to do with their new deal: "The last I heard, they weren't close. I think this has been a bit of a challenging negotiation, but they've still got time, and we'll see how this sorts out."
This was a less-than-ideal update from Friedman on the matter, and now there's been another eye-opening report on the Swayman negotiations.
According to WEEI's Rich Keefe, Swayman is seeking $10 million per season for his next deal. Here is exactly what Keefe said on the matter: "Jeremy Swayman, looking for $10 million a year. That is the scoop that I have. He is looking for $10 million a year... So, I think a lot of the speculation was if he gets to eight [million dollars], that makes him the sixth-highest-paid goalie. But from what I'm led to believe, he would like $10 million per year."
At this juncture, Carey Price and Sergei Bobrovsky are the only goalies making at least $10 million heading into the 2024-25 season. Andrei Vasilevskiy ($9.5 million), Connor Hellebuyck ($8.5 million), and Ilya Sorokin ($8.25 million) are the following three goalies. Thus, if this is truly Swayman's asking price, he wants to be paid like a top-tier goalie.
It will be very interesting to see what Swayman's eventual contract ends up being from here. At this time, the Bruins have just over $8.6 million of cap space, so a $10 million AAV for Swayman, at least right now, can't happen.
