Bruins captain Brad Marchand breaks silence on Jeremy Swayman’s contract impasse

The Boston Bruins are deep into their practice schedule, but one key player is still missing from the ice. Goaltender Jeremy Swayman remains a restricted free agent, having missed all of training camp and every preseason game. And there are no indications that this situation will be resolved before the start of the regular season.

Bruins general manager Don Sweeney has publicly criticized Swayman and his representation for allegedly turning down a $64 million offer. However, Swayman’s camp quickly refuted the claim, stating that such an offer was never made to their client.

Bruins captain Brad Marchand has now spoken out about the public standoff between Swayman and the team. While acknowledging that contract negotiations are a difficult but normal part of professional sports, Marchand expressed confidence that a deal will be reached via Boston.com:

“I wouldn’t say it’s hard to keep him out of the room,” Marchand said. “Even today and beyond, it’s not talked about much. We all understand the situation the team and Sway are in. This is part of the game. It’s part of the company.

“It’s a part that no one enjoys. And eventually a deal will be made and everyone will move on and everything will be fine,” he continued. “One of the biggest things is the stress and pressure that comes with negotiations.

Once you sign, so much weight is lifted, not only from the player’s shoulders, but from the team’s shoulders as well,” Marchand concluded. “And then it’s just all about coming together and finding a way to win and working toward that goal.”

Right now, the Bruins’ starter is Joonas Korpisalo, acquired in the offseason trade that sent Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators. Korpisalo struggled in his first and only season in Ottawa after signing a five-year deal last summer, posting a 3.26 goals-against average and an .890 save percentage.

Jeremy Swayman is awarded a one-year contract through arbitration

Swayman will receive a one-year, $3.475 million contract awarded to him through salary arbitration. He has yet to play the full workload of a starting NHL goaltender, having never played in more than 44 games in his first four seasons.

He has amassed a record of 79-33-15 so far in his career with a 2.34 goals-against average, a .919 save percentage and 12 shutouts. He also went 6-6 in twelve career postseason games, with a 2.15 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage.

Per NHL rules, Swayman must agree to a contract by December 1 to play this season.