Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman remains unsigned, and the start of training camp is less than two weeks away. Naturally, fans have been concerned, especially with the regular season rapidly approaching.
During a recent appearance on SN 960 The FAN's "The Big Show With Rusic And Rose," NHL insider Frank Seravalli provided an update on the salary gap between the Bruins and Swayman.
Here's what Seravalli said on the matter:
"I think [Swayman] was somewhere in the mid-8s [million AAV] earlier this summer, and I think the Bruins were in the low 6s. I think that’s a pretty sizeable gap that hasn’t been bridged yet."
It was recently reported that Swayman is seeking $10 million per season, but Seravalli has heard otherwise. In either scenario, it is apparent that the Bruins and Swayman have some work to do to reach an agreement.
With Swayman set to be the team's clear starter, it is clear that he has a good amount of leverage in contract talks. In addition, he has been very good since his arrival to the Bruins and is coming off a spectacular postseason. Thus, it is understandable that he wants a notable raise in his salary.
However, the Bruins also have a case for their asking price. While Swayman has been excellent, he has yet to have a true No. 1 goalie's workload. This is a significant reason why the prospect of a bridge deal has been brought up.
Nevertheless, it will be intriguing to see what Swayman's eventual deal with the Bruins will be. Here's to hoping that they can come to terms on a new contract soon, as the Bruins need Swayman to be signed for the start of the season.
