CLONE ME – UPDATED 10.1.24 – Clone
CLONE ME – UPDATED 10.1.24 – Clone
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.
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.