Bruins President Cam Neely Takes Negotiations With Swayman Public

After wanting to keep their negotiations with Jeremy Swayman—contentious or not—private, the Boston Bruins front office has now brought the process into the public, as team president Cam Neely says they offered the RFA goaltender $64 million.

Neely on Swayman’s contract negotiations: “I know that I’d have 64 million reasons why I’d be playing right now.”
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) September 30, 2024

“I know that I’d have 64 million reasons why I’d be playing right now," said Neely. We could guess that means an 8-year offer with an $8 million AAV.

Many are calling it a PR move to force Swayman to reconsider his position.

Neely says that Swayman insists he does want to stay with the Bruins, but also admits that it looks like they will be starting the season with newly-acquired Joonas Korpisalo between the pipes, at this point.

Sweeney notes that at this stage of camp, it might be “unlikely” that Swayman would be ready to go for Boston’s season opener.

Montgomery adds on Korpisalo: “Right now he’s going to be our Game 1 starter.”
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) September 30, 2024

He was then asked if he was surprised by Swayman's demands.

Sweeney asked by @smclaughlin9 if he was surprised by Swayman's ask at any point.

Starts to answer no, and Neely interjects with a laugh: "*I* was surprised."

Neely said he believes Swayman wants to play in Boston, and has heard him say it, and they think they'll get it done.
— Matt Porter (@mattyports) September 30, 2024

Neely is still confident they'll get a deal done.

But it'll have to happen by December 1st, as that is the deadline for a player to be eligible to play this season.