Bruins President Cam Neely calls out Jeremy Swayman for being greedy after declining major offer
Today,Boston Bruins president Cam Neely and general manager Don Sweeny addressed the media in their first official press-conference to discuss the season, training camp, the recent cuts made yesterday and most importantly, the contract negotiations with Jeremy Swayman.
They did not go far into the details of what the issues are necessarily, but you can tell by their answers and body language that they feel they have done everything they can to sign the RFA star goalie, and that the issues are stemming from him and his agent. When asked about what is the dollar amount both sides are willing to give into, president Cam Neely gave a subtle jab at why he thinks Swayman should be singed..
There have been a lot of reports and rumors of what the Boston Bruins officially offered Swayman but ultimately turned down, and now Neely confirmed that they offered him a $64 million contract, which we assume would be in the form of 8-years x $8 million AAV. If this is the case, Swayman is 100% at fault for not playing right now, he is not worth $10 million and any goalie who has not been the teams number 1 guy for more than a season is offered and 8 x 8 deal and declines, needs to get his priorities straight.
This is what NHL insider and TSN analyst Pierre LeBrun has to say on the matter.
"The key thing is that Swayman is still very focused on getting an eight-year deal. That's still the No. 1 priority for him, and the Bruins are looking at a long-term deal as well. But, you can't have the [New York Rangers goaltender Igor] Shesterkin discussion without having Swayman tied into it in the sense that they are different negotiations. Swayman, in terms of the collective bargaining agreement, isn't at the same leverage point because he won't be a UFA at the end of the year. So, Shesterkin has the higher leverage point.
"...Just because all these goalies across the league] are signing for whatever they signed for the last couple years, Swayman can't find a way to push through. I think we're seeing that in his negotiations with the Bruins, so it's a fascinating one."
Swayman held a 2.53 goals-against average and a .916 save % in 44 games last season. The native of Alaska has a career record of 79-33-15 with a .919 save percentage and a 2.34 GAA.
Do you think he is being greedy by turning down a $64 million dollar deal?
Source: TSN
Neely on Swayman: 'I have 64 million reasons why I'd be playing right now'
