2024 Bruins Off Season News - Everyone Else But the Center
- Thread starter TSC
- Start date
Just listened to the new Chiclets podcast (ep: 524) where they discuss the Sweeney press conference (22:17 mark) and I have to say I’m team Ryan Whitney on this one. No surprise to anyone who’s read my posts, as I am clearly in Swayman’s camp as well.
I agree with Whitney’s takes that the Bruins have bungled this entire negotiation (albeit from an outsiders vantage point with limited detailed information) given the facts and information that have come out. I will be so unhappy with this organization if they lose or irreparably damage the relationship with this goalie. I may be highest on Sway of anyone on SoSH, but I believe I will be proven correct on this front. In my opinion, he’s the complete package; talent, leadership, locker room, resiliency, ability to perform under pressure, etc.. I am willing to die on this hill. Sign the man.
I agree with Whitney’s takes that the Bruins have bungled this entire negotiation (albeit from an outsiders vantage point with limited detailed information) given the facts and information that have come out. I will be so unhappy with this organization if they lose or irreparably damage the relationship with this goalie. I may be highest on Sway of anyone on SoSH, but I believe I will be proven correct on this front. In my opinion, he’s the complete package; talent, leadership, locker room, resiliency, ability to perform under pressure, etc.. I am willing to die on this hill. Sign the man.
I don't listen to Chiclets anymore (I can't stand Biz) so I can't comment on what Whitney said direcly but I think it should be taken with a grain of salt. Whatever info they are getting is coming directly from Swayman/Swayman's camp. The Bruins aren't leaking to them. So whatever info they are getting is going to be packaged in the best possible light to Swayman. Secondly, Chiclets is a podcast hosted by former players who maintain close relationships with current and former players. To maintain those relationships, they are going to be pro-player on virtually anything. They will not take the side of the team over a player in any issue.
I hope they sign Swayman he gets as much money as he can. I've said I'd give him $10 million per year in a heartbeat. I hope he gets it. I do think it's hard to assign blame for the current situation without full information. It's easy to blame Sweeney for not getting this done and "just give him his money" but we don't know where either side stands. I'd also point out that Swayman's agent, Lewis Gross, has a history of having clients holdout (Swayman, the famous William Nylander one, Shane Pinto last year, Torey Krug with the Bruins...). It takes two to tango as the saying goes.
Agreed. The picture Swayman and his agent are trying to paint is pretty transparent. Good on them, this will set Swayman and a few generations after him up for life. He made a bet on himself by not taking a bridge deal last summer and will reap the benefits.
Having said that, I can't find any fault really with how the Bruins have handled this. They got their guy in Letourneau - and yes, a poison pill in Korpisalo, but one that can be easily bought out - for the last year of a UFA signing's contract. From an asset management standpoint, that is a home run. The only thing I would have liked to see differently was Ullmark shopped post-Vezina, but that was never realistic (just like my desire to see them get value back for Carlo for the past 3 years).
Swayman has been talking about hurt feelings from one player-elected arbitration negotiation for 14 months now. He is coming out and giving interviews about how taking business school classes, and how important this negotiation is as a market-setter for goaltenders years down the line... while he has made 76 regular season starts over the past two seasons. Someone like Saros has had 67, 64, and 64 starts in the past 3 years, and just signed what should be his last contract at 8/$7.74m AAV. Different tax situation in Tennessee, Saros is 3 years older than Swayman, etc etc - but that's still a market-setting UFA contract.
While he is holding out for $8m+ AAV it's worth remembering: the next season where Swayman starts > 55 games in the regular season + playoffs will be his first. IMO it's prudent for the B's to be skeptical about handing out $8m AAV+ to a goalie, especially one whose workload has never matched that of a true #1.
Having said that, I can't find any fault really with how the Bruins have handled this. They got their guy in Letourneau - and yes, a poison pill in Korpisalo, but one that can be easily bought out - for the last year of a UFA signing's contract. From an asset management standpoint, that is a home run. The only thing I would have liked to see differently was Ullmark shopped post-Vezina, but that was never realistic (just like my desire to see them get value back for Carlo for the past 3 years).
Swayman has been talking about hurt feelings from one player-elected arbitration negotiation for 14 months now. He is coming out and giving interviews about how taking business school classes, and how important this negotiation is as a market-setter for goaltenders years down the line... while he has made 76 regular season starts over the past two seasons. Someone like Saros has had 67, 64, and 64 starts in the past 3 years, and just signed what should be his last contract at 8/$7.74m AAV. Different tax situation in Tennessee, Saros is 3 years older than Swayman, etc etc - but that's still a market-setting UFA contract.
While he is holding out for $8m+ AAV it's worth remembering: the next season where Swayman starts > 55 games in the regular season + playoffs will be his first. IMO it's prudent for the B's to be skeptical about handing out $8m AAV+ to a goalie, especially one whose workload has never matched that of a true #1.
You both make great points. Specifically the Saros comp is compelling. I’m on record for drawing the line at 8.5AAV. I would not pay 10M because of the % of the cap it would require, and the consequential challenges of filling out the rest of the roster it would bring.
I strongly push back on the number of games played and the true #1 workload argument. It’s pretty clear why that is. The circumstances in Boston were rare, if not unique, with the caliber of goalies and it only made sense to make the most of that luxury. I understand why the Bruins would make that argument in a negotiation, but to me it doesn’t carry much water.
I look at the body of the man’s work to date, and then I hone in on the 12/13 playoff games started in the playoffs last postseason and the quality in which he played. That to me means substantially more.
I strongly push back on the number of games played and the true #1 workload argument. It’s pretty clear why that is. The circumstances in Boston were rare, if not unique, with the caliber of goalies and it only made sense to make the most of that luxury. I understand why the Bruins would make that argument in a negotiation, but to me it doesn’t carry much water.
I look at the body of the man’s work to date, and then I hone in on the 12/13 playoff games started in the playoffs last postseason and the quality in which he played. That to me means substantially more.
As far as the #1 workload arguments go, yeah agree that there are legit reasons that he hasn't done it yet. But that being said, it doesn't mean he actually can do it either.
FWIW, I'm in the "pay him the 8 or 8.5mill" and lets get going camp, but I can understand why the Bruins would be hesitant to go higher than that too.
FWIW, I'm in the "pay him the 8 or 8.5mill" and lets get going camp, but I can understand why the Bruins would be hesitant to go higher than that too.
I wrote that before seeing Gross’ statement. After that agent statement either Neely is lying or the agent never presented him with that offer.
