Insider: "Hard Feelings" To Blame for Bruins' Bad Start

The Boston Bruins continue their perplexing start to the 2024-25 National Hockey League season. After losing another two straight, they sit at 8-8-3, in 4th place in the Atlantic Division, strange territory for the team with six consecutive 100-point full NHL seasons (excluding the shortened '20-'21).

Observers have been looking all over for blame, from the coach on down to the end of the bench. Monday morning, insider Elliotte Friedman on his 32 Thoughts podcast revealed what he believes is at the root of the Bruins' troubles this season, and it goes all the way back to training camp with the holdout of their starting goaltender.

The whole Swayman thing, I think there's some hard feelings about that. I just think that the Bruins aren't used to having their business all over the world like that. I think it's led to some hard feelings and I think it's affected the overall situation.

In fact, Friedman pointed to some recent comments from team president Cam Neely, who said that the team has seemed unsettled since training camp.

Swayman, who was an RFA, was the subject of rumors all summer about how contract negotiations were dragging with the team. Numbers were thrown around in the media left and right, and he didn't sign his eight-year, $66 million deal ($8.25M AAV) until October 6th, after training camp was done and just 48 hours before their season opener.

The key message within the locker room at this point is "Ignore the noise, pull together."

There's no question that the Bruins have been active on the trade market, and they will continue to be a team to watch when activity in that area picks up.