Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney goes off on the Jeremy Swayman situation

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TJ Tucker
September 18, 2024 (4:06 PM)

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Don Sweeney, General Manager of the Boston Bruins, gave an update on the Jeremy Swayman contract negotiations, expressing disappointment and concern

Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney met with reporters today in advance of the team's training camp getting underway. There is a very noticeable absence from the training camp's roster in number one goaltender Jeremy Swayman. Sweeney addressed that, and expressed disappointment in the negotiations, as well as an issue with the way things have been represented in the media.

Don Sweeney confirmed that Jeremy Swayman won't attend training camp unless or until a new contract is signed. Sweeney said he was disappointed in that, but it was what he said next that raised a lot of eyebrows. Sweeney said he's hopeful a deal can get done before the deadline of Dec. 1.

"Every day that Jeremy is out, it hurts our team and it hurts him, because of the preparation that we'd like to do and he needs to do.

As I said, I'm disappointed. But at the end of the day, I'm optimistic. Because I think we'll find a landing spot before Dec. 1."

If Jeremy Swayman doesn't have a new contract signed by Dec. 1, he will be deemed ineligible to play in the 2024-25 season. A lot of Boston Bruins fans likely never dreamed they would be talking about that deadline before the season even gets underway.

Don Sweeney also said he's unhappy with what he called inconsistencies in reporting when it comes to contract negotiations with Jeremy Swayman. He specifically singled out the Spittin' Chiclets podcast, which he referred to as the "Spitting Up on Yourself" podcast.

"It's been reported we've been incommunicative. That's far from the truth. I think you'd be hard-pressed to find anybody in the league where I'd spend three weeks not returning a phone call. I'm not talking specifics. You're just not going to get them. But I think it's bulls--- that somebody says I wouldn't return a call for three weeks. That's inaccurate."

There have been reports that Jeremy Swayman wants as much as $10 million per season on his next deal. That's a big issue for Don Sweeney, as he has less than $9 million in useable cap space at the moment.