NHL GM: Bruins' Jeremy Swayman 'Has A Lot Of Leverage' in Negotiations

With training camp approaching, the Boston Bruins have yet to reach a deal with goaltender Jeremy Swayman, raising concerns about the team's goalie situation as the season nears.

According to Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic in a story published on September 6, Swayman remains unsigned.

The report also stated that if Swayman doesn't sign before the start of training camp, he will not be allowed to "participate in on- or off-ice activities" with the team.

“They have to sign him to real term, so he has a lot of leverage here,” an anonymous NHL general manager told Shinzawa. The Bruins are well aware that Swayman is poised to become the team's primary workhorse in goal, but a deal must be reached first.

Assuming things stand still and Swayman remains unsigned, the Bruins would be forced to rely on Joonas Korpisalo as their starting goaltender next season. Korpisalo, acquired from the Ottawa Senators in a trade that sent former backup Bruins goalie Linus Ullmark the other way, had a .890 save percentage last season.

Another alternative and potential backup would be Brandon Bussi, a 26-year-old with no NHL experience in the Bruins farm.

This uncertainty and lack of legitimate backup goalies is what seems to be putting the most pressure on Bruins general manager Don Sweeney. Because of this, it is believed that Swayman has tons of leverage in the negotiations.

Swayman’s performance in the 2023–24 playoffs was fantastic, even though the Bruins crashed out of the postseason in the second round. He posted a .933 save percentage, the highest among goaltenders with at least three postseason starts.

Swayman is coming off a one-year, $3.475 million contract that followed an arbitration hearing. Boston had the option to elect for a two-year deal but chose a shorter term, which has led to the current standoff.

Related: Report: Bruins 'Have Not Contacted' Jeremy Swayman 'In 3 Weeks'