NHL Rumor Mill – October 2, 2024
The latest in the Jeremy Swayman contract negotiation saga, a suggestion for the Flames to pursue Igor Shesterkin this summer, and some potential waiver wire goalie options in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST ON JEREMY SWAYMAN’S CONTRACT SAGA
TSN: Chris Johnston believes the Boston Bruins and Jeremy Swayman are taking a timeout for a cooling-off period following Monday’s war of words between the two sides regarding their contract negotiations.
On Monday, Bruins president Cam Neely hinted that his club had offered up a deal worth $64 million to Swayman. However, the goaltender’s agent replied no such offer had been made.
Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (NHL Images).
Johnston also noted the Bruins announced that Joonas Korpisalo will be their starting goaltender for their season opener next week. That indicates that, even if the Bruins and Swayman agree to a new contract this week, he won’t have enough practice time to prepare for the start of the season.
The deadline for signing restricted free agents is 5 pm ET on Dec. 1. Johnston believes the Bruins will start the season without Swayman and their standoff could last for some time yet.
Darren Dreger claims the Bruins remain “hopeful, optimistic and committed” to getting Swayman under contract.
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reports the Bruins’ actual offer to Swayman was an eight-year deal with an average annual value of $7.8 million. That’s different from what Neely hinted at, as a $64 million contract for eight seasons carries an AAV of $8 million.
THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa believes the ball is now in Swayman’s court as to how this proceeds. He considers the 25-year-old netminder to be “thin-skinned” and sensitive to real or perceived slights. “If Swayman takes his bosses’ latest actions personally, then he’ll have to wait much longer for a resolution,” writes Shinzawa.
Swayman could also request a trade if he doesn’t see a resolution with the Bruins. However, that doesn’t mean it’ll happen, citing the club’s high asking price and the cost for a rival club to sign the young netminder.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s no indication that a short-term compromise is possible. Both sides agree they want a long-term deal at the league maximum of eight years, but can’t agree on the money.
The Bruins appear willing to come up from their original rumored pitch (between $6.2 million and $6.4 million) to between $7.8 million and $8 million. It’s believed the Swayman camp seeks around $9.5 million.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols suggests the Devils should look into Swayman’s availability despite their offseason acquisition of Jacob Markstrom. He pointed out the Devils attempted to acquire goalie Yaroslav Askarov from the Nashville Predators in August before he was shipped to the San Jose Sharks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s a big difference between the two. The Bruins’ asking price and the cost of signing Swayman will be too high for the Devils, whereas the promising Askarov would’ve been a more affordable long-term addition.
SHOULD THE FLAMES PURSUE SHESTERKIN NEXT SUMMER?
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jim Parsons suggests the Calgary Flames should look into pursuing Igor Shesterkin next July if the New York Rangers goaltender hits the open market.
Shesterkin, 28, is expected to become the NHL’s highest-paid goaltender. Parsons pointed out that the Flames will have $35 million in cap space next season, more than enough room to pitch a $13 million AAV to the Shesterkin camp.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Parsons acknowledged Shesterkin is likely to re-sign with the Rangers. Still, it’s worthwhile to explore what might happen if he instead ends up testing the market.
The Flames could easily afford Shesterkin but he might not fit into their long-term plans. He’ll be 29 next summer and signing him to an expensive long-term deal could create a salary-cap headache down the road.
There’s also no certainty that Shesterkin will sign with any team that offers the most money. Location will also come into play. He might not be keen to play in Canada or in the Western Conference.
THE ATHLETIC: Jesse Granger listed several goaltenders who might be available on the waiver wire before the start of the season next week. They include Detroit’s Alex Lyon, Buffalo’s James Reimer, Washington’s Hunter Shepard, Toronto’s Matt Murray, and Florida’s Chris Driedger.
Swayman’s agent has a history of not being forthright with his clients (Krug and Nylander). Sounds like a repeat here. It’s possible that the $64M offer was not relayed, Which is why Neely went public. Now add a super thin skin combined with an obviously entitled youngster and here we are.
The TURK, do we know he wasn’t forthright with Krug and Nylander and didn’t present the team’s offer? If so how do we know?
We had that debate yesterday on here, I am skeptical of that claim, as why would anyone hire an agent who does that? Players are still hiring him.
I think Neely was venting publicly and “exaggerated” the # by a bit, and in reality it is pretty close to $64M.
This decision isn’t the agents, it is Swayman’s. If he wanted to sign for 8x$7.8M, he would have. He hasn’t.
Big hole for the B’s, but I just don’t see a world where they give him the reported $9.5×8. I set my over under at $7.5 a few weeks ago, the are already over it.
They need him, but I think they are right in taking a stand. Go Korpi Go!
I think Swayman will cave, hopefully it doesn’t take to the 11th hour like Nylander did.
Ray you better hope they don`t pull a Nylander and wait till Dec. 1. Remember Nylander`s first year of his contract because of the Dec. 1 signing was 10.277 million. If Swayman gets his so called 9.5 and signs on Dec. 1, the cap hit will be about 13 million. What a mess that would make for the Bruins trying to fit that in
Yep Yogi, I guess Swayman gets less every day of the regular season that goes by!
B’s may just get to a point where they wait for Swayman to make up his mind, take it or leave it by a specific date, for the reason you give above. Or behind door #2, X amount for 1 year. Sooner or later you need to move away from the distraction and get on with trying to win hockey games.
Far from ideal in a tough division where every point counts, with a lot of games for the B’s in the first couple months of the year.
Swayman and his agent know that too and are trying to exploit it. It might work, but thinking Sweeney and B’s aren’t thrilled with it either. Nobody like folks who negotiate with the proverbial gun pointed at their head.
The worst part about the Nylander signing, was not only did it use up all Toronto`s cap space, Willie went on to have a crap year because of the missed time. Toronto should`ve let Willie sit out the year and used all that cap space at the TDL and shored up all the holes they had. But Dubas never was that bright, now he has a rep of overpaying. He`s Pittsburgh`s problem now
Yogi … ssshhh …. don’t wake 8787 up!
Ray Bark, that seems to make sense! You got a handle on it. Bottom line though, is Swayman too big for his britches? Neely should shut up and let Sweeney run the show. I think Neely is still upset with the way Ulfie treated him during his time with Hartford? Lol!!!!
Well. If it was 7.8 and not 8…. Agent wasn’t exactly lying.
Sorry forgot
If the Devils offered up Markstrom in trade for an expensive Swayman how much more would Boston demand in return. I’m thinking if it gets real nasty between swayman and Boston a trade should be feasible here.
Goodness, god help us if this was a Toronto Management group that traded away Ulmark prior to signing Swayman. The Bruins get a pass for an attrocious piece of management. Why is that? And Especially knowing how pissed he was about the last arbitration process. No critique for Neely? Does that shaming ever work?
Some saying he doesnt deserve more than 8- why not? Guenthers and Slafkovkys getting locked in at 7 plus a year without even close to the impact swayman has on the Bruins…
Bruins were fortunate for years that they locked in Bergeron at a low rate and no one would dare ask for more. Now they have to manage like everyone else.
i wonder if they deal him…
Really Sam? You would have kept Ullmark until you signed Swayman?
How would that work with the UFA period starting July 1? Don’t sign Lindholm and Zadorov? Wait for all the NHL teams to find tending options so you have nowhere to trade him to? That almost did happen, OTT was last team standing as NJ got Markstrom.
Plenty of RFA’s weren’t signed prior to July 1, many happened recently in camp. Most of the better ones actually. B’s are no different as they are the more difficult negotiations and less worry about missing on an RFA vs UFA and losing the player. Same every year, so not sure what you have been watching.
The player needs to agree to sign Sam, and Swayman wants a bigger # than he is worth you can’t just say OK and give him want he is asking for. If they still had Ullmark, they wouldn’t have the space to sign Swayman for the amount they have already offered. Then what?
How do we know the B’s didn’t try and sign him long term last off season? How about at anytime last year? SWAYMAN chose arbitration last off season, not the team. Surprise! The team said he was worth less than he thought he was. Go figure. WTF did he think would happen, I knew it would how didn’t he?
I think your statement says more about some Leaf fans than Bruins management. Perhaps we B’s fans are just more pragmatic about how the business works and don’t freak out over every move a GM makes or doesn’t make. Or maybe some Leaf fans think it is a lot more simple than it really is.
A deal will likely get done, if it doesn’t it doesn’t. Swayman might hold a grudge, maybe he won’t, I dunno.
This isn’t a Bruins management issue, Sweeney is good at his job, Neely needs to let Sweeney do the talking. That is my only critique.
Really Ray?
Yes, Ullmark is an easy move even a month later…whats the worst case they take a bit less of a return. they got a 1st but had to eat Korpisalo money anyway. Even with a ntc being adjusted. Absolute worst case you keep him as an insurance policy as the best back up in the league? They only saved 2 mill trading Ulmark for Korpisalo- is that Zadorov and Lindholm salaries? come on..
My bigger point is that if this were any other market they would get killed for they way it played out. Nothing to do with fans- just the media, this isnt an RFA going to into his last year – its a guy without a contract.
I get it Ray, you are a Bruins fan…
yes player has to agree to sign, of course, it is a bad misread in my opinion.. Same can be said when Leafs overpay Marner or Nylander, player has to agree and yet management gets blamed for the outcome- that is how it goes…
You are right we dont know anything- about any other negotiations of any other players, all we know is what is in front of us. A franchise goalie not signed and Neely ostracizing him even more. Management is paid to avoid this and lowballing him early tells me they had no read at all on the situation.
Say a lot of things but Management deserves blame for this- thats what they do – manage…..
Sam, just to boil it down to the nuts of this; you would pay Swayman 8X$9.5M to get him on the team, then trade Ullmark for whatever you get for him, to whomever, not on his no trade list, regardless of their cap space and if they need a tender.
And do this prior to July 1 so you know what you have in space for UFA’s?
Am I understanding what you posted?
Or don’t sign the UFA’s they did so you can keep Ullmark to negotiate a better deal with Swayman? Then pawn off Ullmark to ?? Or keep Ullmark for the year and lose him as a UFA?
Just want to be sure what we are debating. I would suggest the devil’s in the details.
Just so I am clear, I would have done what the B’s did, as it makes sense to me. Considering above.
ullmark also had to waive his no trade clause and he may not be willing mid season . He agreed at the point he did so they moved him.
Exactly Jeff, things are never as easy as they seem. Trade him after you sign Swayman? OK why would Swayman sign for less, or are you giving him the $9.5? OK, why less? Trade him to who, and for what, and when? Are teams like OTT waiting around for that to happen or tryning to improve their window when they can?
Save the $2M elsewhere, easy to say. OK where?
Don’t take anything personal on here Sam, but folks who think this is easy peezy, just do this instead, is a bit annoying as it isn’t reality. And I do like to debate!
Sam, Ullmark could have changed his no-trade list on July 1. That is another reason he needed to be traded BEFORE July1!
Sam, the reason they dealt Ullmark when they did has been covered here several time – in short, they knew they couldn’t re-up both at what they’d likely demand, decided the younger Swayman was the one they’d retain him and so dealt Ullmark just before the draft because, in a few days from then, he would have been able to adjust his no-trade list and they couldn’t run the risk of his adding Ottawa to that list since, of all the offers received, the one from the Senators was the best.
At the time there clearly were no expectations that negotiations with the Swayman camp were about to turn sour, not even after Swayman explained his reactions to the previous year’s arbitration process to Boston.com in Jan 2024 in words that did not suggest any lingering bitterness
https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-bruins/2024/01/15/bruins-jeremy-swayman-explains-arbitration-comments-following-shutout-win/
That only emerged after Sweeney apparently tried to low-ball him at the opening of negotiations, as related here a week ago
https://athlonsports.com/nhl/boston-bruins/report-bruins-contract-offer-jeremy-swayman-lowball
It’s going to take a trained diplomat expert at mending fences to iron this one out now.
You are right George. Many unknowns, that’s the case in all negotiations. All we can critique is what ‘s in front us.
This isn’t a Leaf fan – Bruins fan thing at all- more a shot a media.. When Treliving ends up paying Marner 12.5 they will destroy him (and rightfully so) but ultimately player has to sign.. so they should have dealt him before it wasnt possible to do so.. (leafs that is)
Management always wears always have. This is no different.
But.
To Sam’s point there was no urgency in moving Ullmark other than maybe his salary being in the way of a new Swayman deal and the other moves they made. But they didn’t save much did they? And those two goalies were the best of friends. You keep a nicer environment, sign Swayman to a bridge deal, keep his buddy Ully and trade him at the deadline.
Re the Sens v. Habs game. Both teams guilty of some questionable plays. But the difference for me is Greig, knowing full well he has to answer for it, stands in there against a normally sleepy 6’4 220lb Dach who was in no mood. Greig gets thumped for his crimes while Montreal’s resident psycho takes matters into his own hands for a second straight game.
Dark G, Swayman doesn’t want a bridge deal, already turned it down. B’s offered it. So wouldn’t we be right were we are now, except no Lindholm on the team?
The B’s left them selves with plenty of space for what Swayman is worth, he thinks he is worth more. That is the issue, plain and simple. They are hashing that out now.
I agree with Boston’s valuation compared to the what the goalie market has been over the last few years.
Would luv to hear why Swayman should get what he is asking for and what comparables folks are using.
Come on Ray- did i say that? Did I say pay Swayman whatever he wanted? i said, read the situation. Did I say pay him 9.5? Don’t think I did?
However, since you are throwing things around – you said keeping Ullmark would inhibit them from signing Zadorov and Lindholm? You did say that right? The 2 million savings from Ullmark to Korpisalo would prevent them from signing both of those guys?
Here is one, how about keep Ullmark, and the extra 2 mill and still sign Zadorov and Lindholm and find the 2 mill in savings somewhere else.
Then you can let Swayman rot long as you want knowing you have a goalie and all the leverage in the world. Was that 1st round pick worth it? Maybe you get Swayman for 7 if he knows you arent in any rush.
Thats the option i would have taken, instead of trading away all my leverage to save 2 million dollars, you are a contending team, keep ullmark as own rental.
Sorry if you took my critique of the bruins management handling as personal- was just my opinion.
We don’t know if preliminary talks with swaymans agent were cordial and as soon as ullmark was dealt the agent saw an opportunity and upped the ask.
We don’t know that they weren’t either.
Sure don’t.
The entire Swayman situation has reached the point that I honestly hope the Bruins sign him to an 8×8, then Swayman becomes Elvis Merzlikins 2.0.
Well Paul, I don’t hope that, but I would be lying if I said that didn’t cross my mind.
So, do you like Swayman? Do you think he’ll be good for another 8 years? Sign him. Florida had a $10M goalie and went to back to back Stanley Cups winning 1 of them. Time to start paying goalies who play more minutes than any other player on your team. If Boston won’t someone else will. Then you’re stuck with Korpisalo. Swayman played this perfect … once Ullmark was traded, he seized his opportunity.
Spot on Les
Swayman made both diva-like comments about having hurt feelings from arbitration and hard-ass comments like wanting to set a new bar for future goalies long ago. So his inflated request should not have caught the Bruins by surprise.
The Bruins have a killer schedule in the first month (Panthers twice, Leafs twice, Kings and Stars at home and Avs, Nashville and Carolina away as well as some other games against mediocre teams). If Korpisalo plays well, Swayman loses bargaining power as the schedule softens after that. But if they start slowly, it’s advantage Swayman.
Les 100% , the bruins left themselves vulnerable. Swayman can ask for whatever he wants- if he has the conviction to ride it out- guess will see if he does. If Ulmark was still on this team, Swayman would be signed already.. and maybe he take 7 or 7.5 . Those savings would be felt over the full duration of the 8 years as opposed to saving 2 mill to downgrade a backup for one year!
Goalies have been underpaid compared to skaters and unfortunately Swayman wants to reset the market, bad news for the Bruins- but they gave him the forum to do so….
Looks like the Bruins got their backup goalie in Jiri Patera .. claimed off waivers .. Bussi goes back to the minors for another year .. now trade Sway to Utah for Lawson Crouse
How about to Utah for Nick Schmaltz! Or to Chicago for Pat Kane! Or Necas of Carolina!
Ray lol. I just feel they gave him the complete forum to do so, all the leverage. If Ullmark is there, leverage is gone. He may very well have continued his stance, but he would know they have a viable option so he would be looking at missing a year of hockey.
Its a totally different dynamic with Ullamark. It was a perfect storm. Lowball offer ignited bad feelings from previous arb and he knew he held all the cards…
Right now he has the Bruins over a barrell, that isnt the case if they have a viable option in net.
If you dont think that Ulmark being there changes the process- than thats your opinion I guess. we agree to disagree
Swayman is a fool if he thinks he has the upper hand. Players are replaceable, like it or not. Maybe not as effective as who they replace, some more effective than who they replace. If, big if, he has been offered 8 million and decides he’s going to hold out for 10, then he is hurting his own bottom line. Sit out all year? No play, no pay. He thinks he’ll make that (presumed) 8 million up later? Not likely, unless the KHL comes calling to lure away the North American player out of spite. He isn’t a “star” or “super-star” player…yet. He might be some day, but not today. Right now, he’s just a very good player with a lot to prove. This isn’t how you prove your “worth”, kid.
Writing is on the wall Sway is going to get traded
I’m as big a Bruin fan as there is and huge Swayman fan but the kid is off his rocker if he believes he should rewrite the goalie market. My offers would be 2 years 5 million 8 years 7 million and that’s being generous. If not sit his ass down and lower each offer 100k per week. If wants out trade his ass when right deal comes your way.
What to keep in mind there, Obe, is …. what, in Boston’s mind, constitutes “the right deal?”
Is it what one would and should expect back for a goalie drafted 7 years ago in Round 4 – 111th overall – and who has only played 132 career games and who, in their view, hasn’t proven anything beyond being one half of a good tandem but hasn’t shown that he could handle the job of a 50-60 game # 1?
Or do they demand, in trade, something significantly beyond that based upon the premise that he will become a Grade A # 1 starter … as he thinks he is? Just in case.
Cap space isn’t really an issue because the Bruins can take up to 8 million back.
Get best offer I’m sure a few teams would be bidding for his services I would ask for scoring help back. If Korpisalo doesn’t pan out someone will be available at deadline.
Lawson Crouse
Utah would have to send a goalie back.
Crouse + Ingrahm for Sway + Kastelic (if snarl is wanted) or Beecher
Was thinking about Niki and Georgie for Swayman as well……But I guess waiting till November is what that would take, when Niki comes back…..but he probably would not play for another month
Bruins would have to clear another almost $2M in cap space to accept those 2 (it would actually be a bit less with pro-rated salaries + Bruin accrued cap space), but they probably could not send another player to the Avs because they would need that $9.5M cleared to sign Swayman……………
But then there is signing Rantanen for next year that must be considered too……….