The Boston Bruins are heading into training camp without their star goaltender, Jeremy Swayman, due to stalled contract negotiations, as reported by *The Boston Globe*. Swayman, an unrestricted free agent, has not reached an agreement on a contract extension with the team, leaving the Bruins in a precarious position as they prepare for the season. With Swayman’s status unresolved, newly acquired Joonas Korpisalo, previously with the Ottawa Senators, is expected to take over as the starting goaltender.
Bruins insider Fluto Shinzawa of *The Athletic* suggested that Swayman could miss both camp and the preseason entirely as talks remain at a standstill. Appearing on a Bruins Rinkside show, Shinzawa remarked, “I wouldn’t be surprised if this goes into camp and he’s not signed.” He highlighted Swayman’s confidence in his abilities, which may be contributing to the deadlock in negotiations.
Recent reports indicate that there is a significant gap between what Swayman is seeking and what the Bruins are willing to offer. While Swayman has an impressive career record of 79-33-15, with a 2.34 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage, the Bruins are hesitant to offer him a long-term deal, citing concerns over his lack of experience as a full-time starter.
Rumors suggest Swayman is aiming for a contract with an average annual value (AAV) higher than Juuse Saros’ $7.74 million deal, potentially exceeding $10 million. In contrast, the Bruins are reportedly offering around $6.2 million per season, according to Ryan Whitney of *Spittin’ Chiclets*. This discrepancy has led to a prolonged standoff, with no resolution in sight.
In the meantime, Korpisalo, who was acquired in the Linus Ullmark trade with Ottawa, is set to take over the No. 1 goalie role for the Bruins during training camp. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman speculated on the *32 Thoughts* podcast that the Bruins might regret their handling of Swayman’s contract talks, particularly their arbitration decisions, which could have strained the relationship between the player and the team.
If the Bruins and Swayman do not reach an agreement by December 1, Swayman will be ineligible to play for the entire 2024-25 season, raising serious concerns about the team’s goaltending situation as they head into a pivotal season.
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