Player Discussion Jeremy Swayman -V - all still silent

[I Hate Philadelphia]

If you told me at the end of last season that we'd be going into this season with JOONAS KORPISALO as our #1G, I would have cried.

We are down so bad.

 

[SwayHeyKid]

If you make finding a comp that specific then neither party is going to be able to. There needs to be some nuance when talking about comps as not many goalies went through what Swayman did. That's not a pro or a con for Swayman, but something I do think Sweeney needs to acknowledge is that they did get him at an arbitrated rate that got him one year closer to UFA and now they're back at the table. I honestly think that Sweeney is too analytical in this case. I think many of us agree that Swayman deserves a bump from what Sweeney thinks is fair for taking a cut due to arbitration last year. Whereas I think Sweeney says, the arbiter comes up with a fair price, so he doesn't owe Swayman anything.

Also, Isn't the idea of a bridge contract that it's signed while the person is an RFA and gets them to UFA at a rate that isn't market because the team has more control. The whole goal is the team gets a reduced price and the player gets to their first UFA contract faster in signing long term. That's always been my interpretation of them. But I can see Swayman's camp making your argument and again Sweeney thinking "nope, the arbiter was more than fair and this is a fair deal."

The more and more I talk this out, the more and more I think they'll end up having to move Swayman. I see both of them having painted themselves in a corner and either they never agree or Swayman finally cracks but will only take a 2 year deal walking him to free agency. I hope I'm wrong but I don't see Cam and Sweeney going over what Rask got regardless of the cap increase. Boston, like it or not has a way of doing business and the brass may have botched this one starting a year ago.

Part of Swayman's issue with a shorter term deal could be that the Bruins have never done right by him before so why should he trust them later?

 

[UncleRico]

It's right in line with goalies his age who are RFAs. Which is what matters. My sense is he's getting his head inflated by his agent and setting himself up for disappointment or escorted out of Boston.

It doesn’t matter what he is right in line with when all the other goalies were going through the arbitration process and swayman isn’t.

It’s is a completely different scenario and cannot be compared to those who had a much higher incentive to aging a bridge deal due to a looming arbitration hearing.

 

[BiteThisBurrows]

As his agent should.



The amount of spinning going on here is hilarious. Don’s going to need to refresh his resume if he plans on a Korpi Bussi pairing because he has to show Swayman who is boss

Except if you let Swayman "be the boss" then the next guy's the boss and the next guy and next thing you know you're in cap hell and can never put together a winning team. It's a downward spiral if you let any player be bigger than the team.

 

[ON3M4N]

I hope he's successful as the Bruins' goalie for many years. But I'm starting to not like this guy. Do I blame him for wanting to get his money during his prime? Of course not. But everything he's done and said show a guy who is putting himself above the team and his allegiance to the other goalies in the league (by not ruining the goalie market or whatever) over his own teammates in Boston.

Couldn't this impact him on his next contract though? If he signs a 3-4 year deal then he'll still have room for a big 7/8 year deal. How much growth is going to happen in goalie pay in 3-4 years if its the one position that most teams try and nickel and dime? If Swayman take a below market deal then its hard for other goalies to get more. If they can't get more, then in 3-4 years when Swayman is due to sign again, he's going to be in the same spot he is today.

Its interesting that you see a lot of teams signing young guys to 7-8 year deals with limited experience.....except for in the goalie market.

 

[UncleRico]

If you make finding a comp that specific then neither party is going to be able to. There needs to be some nuance when talking about comps as not many goalies went through what Swayman did. That's not a pro or a con for Swayman, but something I do think Sweeney needs to acknowledge is that they did get him at an arbitrated rate that got him one year closer to UFA and now they're back at the table. I honestly think that Sweeney is too analytical in this case. I think many of us agree that Swayman deserves a bump from what Sweeney thinks is fair for taking a cut due to arbitration last year. Whereas I think Sweeney says, the arbiter comes up with a fair price, so he doesn't owe Swayman anything.

Also, Isn't the idea of a bridge contract that it's signed while the person is an RFA and gets them to UFA at a rate that isn't market because the team has more control. The whole goal is the team gets a reduced price and the player gets to their first UFA contract faster in signing long term. That's always been my interpretation of them. But I can see Swayman's camp making your argument and again Sweeney thinking "nope, the arbiter was more than fair and this is a fair deal."

The more and more I talk this out, the more and more I think they'll end up having to move Swayman. I see both of them having painted themselves in a corner and either they never agree or Swayman finally cracks but will only take a 2 year deal walking him to free agency. I hope I'm wrong but I don't see Cam and Sweeney going over what Rask got regardless of the cap increase. Boston, like it or not has a way of doing business and the brass may have botched this one starting a year ago.

It’s not specific at all. Show me a list of RFA goalie deals where neither the team or player elected for arbitration.

The different between not going through arbitration and going through arbitration is MASSIVE

Because in the arbitration process a 3rd party is determining the worth. That’s why you see so many players sign bridge deals before their hearing.

 

[BiteThisBurrows]

I believe 2 more years. Not until he is 27.

I think that's right, but I doubt they sit on him if he doesn't sign by Dec1. They'd trade him and then use the cap space on another player at the deadline or a goalie if what we have fails.

(then of course re-sign Ullmark as a UFA when he refuses to sign in Ottawa :} )

 

[Pia8988]

Except if you let Swayman "be the boss" then the next guy's the boss and the next guy and next thing you know you're in cap hell and can never put together a winning team. It's a downward spiral if you let any player be bigger than the team.

You pick this fight with the JAGs, not your best players.

 

[ON3M4N]

Except if you let Swayman "be the boss" then the next guy's the boss and the next guy and next thing you know you're in cap hell and can never put together a winning team. It's a downward spiral if you let any player be bigger than the team.

Are McAvoy & Pastrnak "bigger than the team" or do they get a pass because they're not goalies? Do you realize that McAvoy & Pastrnak take up ~25% of the Bruins cap?

 

[OldScool]

PAY SWAYMAN.....8 years/$8M and get it done. Once Shesterkin signs his deal it will look like an absolute bargain.

 

[BiteThisBurrows]

You pick this fight with the JAGs, not your best players.

No, JAGs are a dime a dozen. You want to bet they didn't sour on DeBrusk after his trade demand? There's a great Bruins culture but they do not take it lightly and if you turn on them they turn on you hard.

Swayman's good, but he's not as good as what he wants.

 

[Bodit9]

Are McAvoy & Pastrnak "bigger than the team" or do they get a pass because they're not goalies? Do you realize that McAvoy & Pastrnak take up ~25% of the Bruins cap?

Goalies get paid less because their performance is more volatile and an elite goalie is not necessary for winning a Cup.

 

[BiteThisBurrows]

Are McAvoy & Pastrnak "bigger than the team" or do they get a pass because they're not goalies? Do you realize that McAvoy & Pastrnak take up ~25% of the Bruins cap?

League comparables for positions. Pasta had a much larger proven body of work. Swayman has never been a true #1, he's only had split duty. One decent playoff doesn't earn you 10 million dollars. Saros is as high as it should go.

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

That wasn't the question. The question is would you take another goalie over Swayman. The answer for me is only Oettinger.

and the question was "not counting for contract" yet you said when you look at age and contract you choose Oettinger. So it wasnt the question and it makes no sense since Oettinger does not have an advantage in either of those things

 

[Bruins4Lifer]

It’s not specific at all. Show me a list of RFA goalie deals where neither the team or player elected for arbitration.

The different between not going through arbitration and going through arbitration is MASSIVE

Because in the arbitration process a 3rd party is determining the worth. That’s why you see so many players sign bridge deals before their hearing.

I don't believe Demko or Shesterkin had pending arbitration hearings that forced them into their current bridge deals.

 

[GordonHowe]

Goalie Jeremy Swayman's holdout won't last — at least that's what Bruins fans hope

Boston's playoff hopes depend on goaltender Jeremy Swayman now that Linus Ullmark is playing for Ottawa

www.providencejournal.com

 

[PaulD]

Exactly, what does Bill Zito know about winning. The guy overpaid on a $10m goalie.

Price got even more than Bob.
and there was Lunquist ?
Can give examples on both sides.

point was , not over paying a part time goalie who is 1- 1 in play off rounds is not exactly "poor managing"

 

[BMC]

Part of Swayman's issue with a shorter term deal could be that the Bruins have never done right by him before so why should he trust them later?

What do you mean never done right by him? I'm no shill for management but IMO this is nonsense. It wasn't Sweeney who took him to arbitration last year, that's all on Gross and his client.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Is it a lowball or just a normal starting negotiating spot? Lowball implies a really poor offer, and Swayman being initially offered something that puts him in the top third of goalie pay is not poor or ridiculous. Lowball would have been 4 or 4.5 or something insulting like that.

You mean like their arbitration offer which probably still plays a role with Swayman??

 

[ON3M4N]

League comparables for positions. Pasta had a much larger proven body of work. Swayman has never been a true #1, he's only had split duty. One decent playoff doesn't earn you 10 million dollars. Saros is as high as it should go.

It funny that people act like he hasn't been in the league for 3 years and his ONLY body of work consist of these most recent playoffs. Over the the last 3 years Swayman ranks 24th in the NHL in starts. That includes him missing time due to an injury and being sent to Providence when Rask tried to give it a go before retiring.

Swayman started 55 games last year between the regular season and playoffs. He didn't look like a guy who was tired and worn down. Even as the #1 in Boston, I expect the split to still put him around 50 starts during the regular season. If he started 50 games it'd be 7 more than he started this past season in the regular season, which is a 16% increase. Do we really feel like he can't handle 7 more starts in the regular season?

 

[BMC]

You mean like their arbitration offer which probably still plays a role with Swayman??

Hey it wasn't Boston's idea to go to arbitration. Swayman needs to grow the f*** up.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Fair enough, thanks for the reply. I just strongly feel if the two were on each other's team the last couple years we'd all see them both in a completely different light. Sway in Ottawa for the last couple could be perceived as a low end starter in the league. I certainly don't think it's a given he's top ten or even 15 in the league. He could be, it's impossible to say. He's good, that's all I can say for sure

His GSAE in the 2024 PO was elite. Tough to downplay that after good RS's.

 

[ON3M4N]

Hey it wasn't Boston's idea to go to arbitration. Swayman needs to grow the f*** up.

I think he learned a lot about the business side of hockey during arbitration and did "grow the f*** up" as you say......funny enough fans don't like it. If fans had their way, he play for league minimum so we could pay other players.

 

[UncleRico]

What do you mean never done right by him? I'm no shill for management but IMO this is nonsense. It wasn't Sweeney who took him to arbitration last year, that's all on Gross and his client.

Three questions and if you answer them correctly you will find out why swayman went to arbitration

1) how much were the bruins offering swayman before arbitration

2) how much cap space did the bruins have to offer swayman

3) how much did the arbiter award swayman

Then tell me which number was higher between 1 and 3 and ask yourself why swayman would go to arbitration

 

[bearcountry17]

Part of Swayman's issue with a shorter term deal could be that the Bruins have never done right by him before so why should he trust them later?

I mean the Bruins could have easily had Swayman at 3.5 this year. They could have taken the two year option and cost Swayman 3-5 million this year. I would say thats doing right by the player.