Jeremy Swayman and the Boston Bruins have finally reached a contract agreement after a lengthy dispute that appeared likely to extend into the NHL regular season.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that Swayman has now signed his deal, an eight-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $8.25 million. The contract also includes a no-trade clause and a $23 million signing bonus. This is a strong deal for the goaltender, who had been reportedly seeking $8.5 million per year.
The negotiation process for Jeremy Swayman’s contract was surrounded by some conflicting reports. At one point, rumors suggested he was seeking a deal comparable to Carey Price’s $10 million per year, and there was speculation that Swayman wanted to reset the goalie market entirely. In the end, though, the contract he signed was far more modest than many anticipated at the beginning of talks.
Despite the resolution, some fans are left confused by the deal. There are two dominant views circulating on social media. First, some believe the contract is an overpay, though most rational fans would likely disagree given the circumstances. The second sentiment is that the deal isn’t significant enough to have warranted such a prolonged negotiation. If anything, some feel the Bruins were unnecessarily difficult during the process, and it ultimately backfired.
Only time will reveal whether this contract will age well for both sides. What’s clear is that the relationship between Swayman and the team may have been strained, but for the goaltender, securing the deal was likely his primary concern.
