Bruins President Cam Neely Announces Jeremy Swayman Offer: '64 Million Reasons Why I Would Play'

BOSTON (AP) — Boston Bruins president Cam Neely suggested Monday that the team has made an eight-year, $8 million-per-year offer to unsigned free-agent goaltender Jeremy Swayman.

“I don’t want to get into chaos with his question,” Neely said at a news conference at TD Garden. “But I know I have 64 million reasons why I would play now.”

Neely didn't disclose what Swayman asked, but said he was surprised by it.

So far, Swayman is sticking to his demand. It fits his personality not to back down, especially after his unpleasant arbitration hearing in 2023. According to Neely, Swayman wants to create a new market for goaltenders, particularly those under team control.

“What his request is and what we think his comp group is,” Neely said, “are two different things.”

General manager Don Sweeney said he remains in contact with Lewis Gross, Swayman's agent. The Bruins have no interest in trading Swayman.

“At the end of the day, as I have always said, we are a better team when Jeremy is part of our hockey club,” Sweeney said. “That is my intention. That is my wish. I will continue to work on that. I think Jeremy and the team are both hurting in that regard. I will do that. I will continue to work hard to find a solution.”

With only three preseason games remaining, it's likely Swayman will miss the regular season, even if an agreement is still pending. Coach Jim Montgomery named Joonas Korpisalo his goaltender for the opening regular-season game against the Florida Panthers on October 8, regardless of Swayman's situation. The Bruins have two full practices left in camp.

“Where we are in camp, how well camp went and how well Korpisalo did,” Montgomery said, “Right now he’s going to be our starter for Game 1.”

How good is the offer?

Swayman would become the fifth-highest paid goaltender in the NHL following the Bruins' offer, behind Sergei Bobrovsky, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Connor Hellebuyck and Ilya Sorokin. Only Vasilevskiy (average annual value of $9.5 million) signed his contract as a pending restricted free agent. The ban should be lifted for the others.

It's a significant payday for Swayman considering he was never the No. 1 goalie in the regular season.

Can Korpisalo fill the gap?

Korpisalo was very good in his two preseason starts, but he has had a challenging 2023-24 season with the Ottawa Senators. He compiled a record of 21-26-4 with a goals-against average of 3.27 and a save percentage of .890. Although Korpisalo had a save percentage of .914 two seasons ago, he has been below .895 in three of the last four seasons and is at .901 for his career. Swayman had a 25-10-8 record last season with a 2.53 GAA and a .916 save percentage. His career save percentage is .919.

Meanwhile, Brandon Bussi, currently No. 2 on the depth chart, is struggling in camp.

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(Photo by Cam Neely: Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)