Elliotte Friedman addressed false reports during his most recent 32 Thoughts podcast that Jeremy Swayman and the Boston Bruins had come to an agreement on an eight-year deal. Saying he didn’t want to kick anyone while they were down because they got a story wrong, he thinks there’s still a gap between what Swayman wants and what the Bruins are willing to pay. In fact, Friedman talked about the idea that the Bruins might actually trade Swayman.
Friedman said:
“I had some people asking me, do you think the Bruins will pivot and consider trading Swayman, just give up and go? I haven’t spoken to Don Sweeney, he’s trying to keep a low profile, aside from making it clear that he’s not always happy with all of the reporting here, but my impressions are that the Bruins do not want to trade Swayman.”
He went on to add that having already traded Linus Ullmark, what the Bruins do not want to do is trade both goaltenders and he really believes that when they say they want to sign Swayman, they are telling the truth. “I believe that is their goal and trading him is not what they are considering or want to do.”
Friedman then joked, “Which of course means, two minutes after this podcast drops, there’s going to be a blockbuster.”
Swayman Talk Shows Just How Poorly Negotiations Have Gone
The fact that Friedman felt the need to even address trade rumors on the podcast suggests that contract negotiation talks are not going well. That is not good news for the Bruins, who the longer this stretches out, the more troubling this becomes.
When asked why Sweeney might have brought up the December 1 date as a deadline, Friedman didn’t think the GM was suggesting it would take that long. “I think what Sweeney was doing, he was sitting back there and was going to mention December 1 so that no other date or deadline can be used as leverage or a pressure point against us.”
Next: Trouba Hints at Imminent Trades and Roster Shakeup for Rangers
Rick W Murray
September 20, 2024 at 2:20 pm
I feel Boston should sit Swayman til the end of November. See how comfy he is then.
Rick W Murray
September 20, 2024 at 2:23 pm
I’d personally like to see the kid traded to San Jose asap. He’s dressing room cancer
NHL Trade Talk
September 21, 2024 at 12:30 pm
Not sure I would say that, but I have heard he didn’t take the process of arbitration terribly well. It’s something a lot of players can’t get over.
TAV
September 20, 2024 at 5:59 pm
They had two good goalies. Why trade one away until you are sure to sign one?
Tucker B
September 20, 2024 at 7:04 pm
Because they needed Ullmarks 5 million cap hit off the books for important free agent signings and Swaymans contract. That 8.6 million cap space is still available for Jeremy’s taking.
NHL Trade Talk
September 21, 2024 at 12:29 pm
The timing of the move seems questionable now. I’m not sure the Bruins expected this to be such a difficult process with Swayman, but they perhaps should have seen it coming after arbitration last summer.
dean
September 23, 2024 at 5:25 am
im sure sweeney has plan A and B if this goes sideways. swayman has on going education in Californa. wonder if the ducks would be interested in a young good goalie to go with there current roster.
swayman and Lysell to ducks.
Gibson. senecke, a 1st, 2nd and 3rd picks to bruins.