The Boston Bruins are facing a major setback as they prepare for the upcoming season, with star goaltender Jeremy Swayman set to leave the team after failed contract negotiations. According to reports, Swayman informed the Bruins that he wants to depart due to the ongoing deadlock in talks, leaving the team with a serious gap in their goaltending lineup.
The 24-year-old goaltender, known for his stellar performances in recent seasons, has been an integral part of Boston’s success. However, negotiations for a contract extension between Swayman and the Bruins fell apart, and with no agreement in sight, the team will now turn to Joonas Korpisalo, who was recently acquired from the Ottawa Senators, as their starting goaltender heading into training camp.
Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic hinted that Swayman may miss both training camp and the preseason due to the stalled talks. “I wouldn’t be surprised if this goes into camp and he’s not signed,” Shinzawa said, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding the situation. Swayman, a confident and self-assured player, has a solid career record of 79-33-15 with a 2.34 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage, making his potential exit a huge loss for the Bruins.
One of the main points of contention in the negotiations appears to be financial. Swayman is reportedly seeking a deal similar to Juuse Saros’ recent $7.74 million per year contract, with some rumors suggesting he is pushing for a deal worth over $10 million annually. The Bruins, on the other hand, are rumored to have offered around $6.2 million per season, a figure that many believe is far below Swayman’s value.
As Swayman holds out, the Bruins are left with Korpisalo as their No. 1 option in goal, a position that may not offer the same level of confidence as Swayman has provided in the past. Korpisalo, who was part of the Linus Ullmark trade with the Senators, is expected to take the reins as the Bruins gear up for the season.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet speculated that the Bruins might regret the way they’ve handled Swayman’s contract situation, particularly after the arbitration decisions that may have strained their relationship. If Swayman and the Bruins fail to come to an agreement by December 1, the goaltender will be ineligible to play for the 2024-25 season, putting even more pressure on both sides to find a resolution.
With the start of the season looming, the Bruins face a tough road ahead without their star goalie unless a last-minute deal can be struck. Fans and analysts alike are left wondering how the team will handle the situation and what it means for their prospects this year.
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