Announcement: Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney All Smiles as He Gives Shocking Update on Jeremy Swayman Contract, Fans React

The Bruins appear to be opening camp with Jeremy Swayman signed.

We are three days away from the Boston Bruins beginning training camp at Warrior Ice Arena for the 2024-25 season. GM Don Sweeney has one bit of business to do ahead Wednesday and that’s sign goalie Jeremy Swayman to a new contract.

It has not been a good summer for Swayman or the Bruins when it comes to getting a contract done after trading Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators back in June. They did it without a deal in place for Swayman and took a chance that something would be done by now. It hasn’t happened and now it appears that the Alaska native might not be on the ice on Wednesday.

Bruins preparing to begin training camp without Jeremy Swayman

Saturday at the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, the young Bruins lost 4-3 to the Columbus Blue Jackets. That was not the big story to come out of the day as Boston Globe Bruins beat reporter Kevin Paul Dupont spoke with Sweeney in Western New York and Swayman’s contract situation came up.

“Appreciate you asking,” Sweeney said. “Kick it down the road. We’ll talk next week.”

Of course, next week could mean Monday night or Tuesday when the Black and Gold prospects return from Buffalo, but the closer to Wednesday morning we get, the more concerning it’s getting. In what seemed like a positive move over the summer, neither Swayman nor the Bruins filed for arbitration, something was ugly last summer before he was awarded a one-year, $3.475 million.

Swayman has been outspoken about his contract this summer, but he has never mentioned a number, something that has been reported by several reports. You get the feeling that Sweeney and the front office are hesitant to give their top netminder a big deal as he has yet to shoulder the load as a No. 1 through an 82-game season.

Swayman and the Bruins have until Dec. 1 to work out a contract before he becomes ineligible to play for the remainder of the season and the playoffs. Again, being positive, you would think a deal is struck between both sides before opening night in Florida on Oct. 8.

Fan Reaction: “He Doesn’t Deserve $10 Million per Year”

If Sweeney was all smiles, Bruins fans were not. The reaction to the possibility of a $10 million per year contract for Swayman was swift and divided, with many feeling that the young goalie—while talented—hasn’t yet earned that kind of payday.

One fan voiced the frustration seen across social media: “Swayman’s been good, but $10 million? That’s ridiculous. He’s not proven enough for that kind of contract. Sweeney’s out of his mind if he thinks that’s a smart move.”

Another fan echoed the same concerns, writing, “We can’t afford to overpay. We’ve seen this before. Handing out huge contracts for players who haven’t fully proven themselves doesn’t end well.”

This backlash stems partly from the cap-conscious nature of hockey, where big contracts can severely limit a team’s flexibility to make other key moves. Bruins fans know this all too well, having seen how large contracts to aging veterans have restricted the team’s ability to chase top free agents or fill out the roster with depth talent.

Is Swayman Worth the Gamble?

Jeremy Swayman undoubtedly has a bright future ahead of him, but the $10 million figure is a steep price for any goaltender, let alone one who has yet to carry a team through a deep playoff run. Historically, the NHL has seen several young goalies flash potential, only to falter once handed big contracts and the pressure that comes with being the clear-cut starter.

In Boston, Swayman has had the luxury of splitting time with Ullmark, who had a Vezina-winning season in 2023. Many fans argue that Swayman’s numbers, while strong, are partly a result of the Bruins’ elite defensive system and Ullmark’s ability to carry the load.

There’s also the matter of Swayman’s limited experience in the postseason. Bruins fans were heartbroken after last season’s stunning first-round exit to the Florida Panthers, a series where both Swayman and Ullmark had moments of inconsistency. Swayman has yet to prove he can backstop the team through the grind of a deep playoff run, something that typically justifies a contract of that magnitude.

What Comes Next?

As negotiations continue, it’s unclear whether the $10 million figure will stand or if it’s simply a starting point in what is expected to be a complicated contract process. While Sweeney has shown confidence in Swayman’s future, he’ll need to balance that optimism with the realities of the team’s salary cap structure.

Many fans are hoping that cooler heads will prevail and that the team can reach a more reasonable deal, perhaps in the $6 to $7 million per year range, which seems to align more closely with Swayman’s current market value.

In the meantime, the Bruins front office will continue to navigate a tricky offseason filled with challenges. With aging stars like Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak leading a team that remains in win-now mode, Sweeney will have to ensure that he’s making the right decisions for both the short-term competitiveness of the team and its long-term financial health.