Restricted free agent goaltender Jeremy Swayman is hoping to sign an eight-year deal – the maximum term allowed – with the Boston Bruins, The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reports.
The Bruins prefer a long-term deal as well, but the two sides are stuck on average annual value, LeBrun notes.
Swayman and the Bruins have been at an impasse since his previous contract expired July 1. The stalemate has dragged into the preseason, and general manager Don Sweeney said at the beginning of training camp that he’s “disappointed” an agreement hasn’t been reached.
After a difficult arbitration process in the summer of 2023 ended in a one-year, $3.48-million contract, Swayman said in August he “educated himself” to prepare for negotiations this year.
Swayman is in line for a significant raise after posting a .916 save percentage in 44 games with the Bruins last season. He also ranked fifth among NHL goaltenders with 22.8 goals saved above expected and became Boston’s top netminder after the club dealt Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators. The pair had split starts almost evenly over the past two seasons.
The Bruins have approximately $8.6 million in cap space, per PuckPedia. Joonas Korpisalo is the club’s de facto No. 1 goalie while Swayman is unsigned.
The Bruins and Swayman have until Dec. 1 to reach a deal.
