NHL insider: Bruins, Jeremy Swayman still facing ‘philosophical differences’ in contract talks

"The best news for the Bruins is their No. 1 goalie still wants to sign long-term."

The Bruins are officially set to open training camp on Wednesday, with the first full-squad skate set for the following morning in Brighton.

It remains to be seen if Jeremy Swayman will be on the frozen sheet with the rest of his teammates on Thursday.

The 25-year-old netminder has yet to sign a new deal with Boston, with several reports over the summer painting the picture of a contentious contract negotiation between the Bruins and the restricted free agent.

Earlier this month, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on his “32 Thoughts” podcast that Swayman’s camp was looking for a sizable raise from the $3.475 million he commanded during the 2023-24 season.

“I’ve also heard the [Charlie] McAvoy contract was the ask, which was [$9.5 million],” Friedman said. “So, it’s obvious there’s a huge discrepancy here.”

While the writing has seemingly been on the wall for months that the Bruins would want to sign a young goalie fresh off a dominant playoff run to a long-term deal, Friedman noted that Boston isn’t looking to shell out such a steep annual cost via a long-term deal — instead opting for a deal worth around $6-6.5 million per year.

“I do believe at some point, there was the eight-year deal on the table, but it was in the sixes,” Friedman said of Boston’s reported offer. “So, I don’t think at any point here, anyone’s ever been close.”

Friedman provided an update on talks between the Bruins and Swayman on his latest “32 Thoughts” weekly column on Monday — which didn’t exactly project optimism about a deal being struck before camp opens this week.

“Not a ton from the weekend on the RFAs,” Friedman wrote. “Quiet around Jeremy Swayman as everyone tries to bridge the philosophical differences. … One thing that’s definitely happened with Swayman: it has reminded teams why you should move mountains before taking cornerstone players to arbitration. Every few years there’s a case — Tommy Salo, P.K. Subban, Shea Weber — leaving lasting bitterness on someone’s part.

“The best news for the Bruins is their No. 1 goalie still wants to sign long-term.”

Swayman has been candid over the last year about how much he disliked going through arbitration with the Bruins last offseason — although Don Sweeney acknowledged in May that it was Swayman and his camp who took the Bruins to arbitration in 2023.

Regardless of whatever sour sentiments remain from last offseason, Swayman’s reportedly interest in staying with Boston long-term remains a positive — with the former University of Maine product echoing that message throughout the offseason.

“I know that it will take care of itself with time, and all I can do is control how I’m going to be a better goalie for the Boston Bruins this year,” Swayman said last month at the WEE/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon. “So, that’s all I’m focused on. And I know, again, it will work out, and I couldn’t be happier to be a Bruin.”

Still, it remains to be seen what both Swayman and the Bruins are prioritizing in their prolonged negotiations.

“Kick it down the road,” Sweeney told The Boston Globe’s Kevin Paul Dupont in Buffalo on Saturday when asked about a Swayman update. “We’ll talk next week.”

Even though Swayman submitted a fantastic playoff run in the spring, the Bruins might have some questions about the young goalie’s ability to handle No. 1 reps moving forward before handing him top-tier money — with only four active goalies currently making over $6.4 million per year.

But with the NHL’s salary cap expected to rise in each of the next few seasons, Swayman might be banking on future production and the rising value of players in the league with his contract demands.

“If you were to ask me that same question a year ago, I would answer truthfully,” Swayman said of his ongoing contract talks during an appearance on the “Shut Up Marc Podcast” last month. ” And I would say, ‘It’s scary. It’s a lot of resentment towards people that want you to succeed.’ And when you’re not being compensated for your endless efforts and doing what you do best, it’s a nerve-wracking feeling because it’s your family that you’re fighting for.

“The answer I’m gonna give you this year is that I’ve educated myself and I understand the business side of it all. It’s given me a complete new mindset of understanding the business and how to react to it. I understand the cap is going up and where it will be in years. I understand my comparables and how I can’t ruin the goalie market for guys that are gonna be in my shoes down the line.”

According to the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement, if both the Bruins and Swayman are unable to come to terms on a deal prior to Dec. 1, Swayman will be ineligible to play for the remainder of the season and the playoffs.