Could’ve pressed for a decision from Swayman much earlier in the summer, before trading Ullmark. Then he at least had the ploy available that he would trade Swayman instead of Ullmark.
- Ratsreign

^^

Could’ve pressed for a decision from Swayman much earlier in the summer, before trading Ullmark. Then he at least had the ploy available that he would trade Swayman instead of Ullmark.
- Ratsreign

They can press all they want, there's a reason players wait. It's in his best interest.

Thats a bad look on Neeley and I love it
- DirtyDan

Any sober agent would be telling him to do the same. He has Boston over the barrel. I expect 9.5-10M. Why they didn't get the contract done BEFORE trading Ullmark is beyond me. Neely (frank)ed that up in a big way.
- QuinnFan

I agree.
Teams use the leverage to their advantage, why should the player be any different when they have it.
F'em

I agree.
Teams use the leverage to their advantage, why should the player be any different when they have it.
F'em
- IonSabres

Dahlin signed October 9th last year. No guarantee they ever get that kind of leverage a 2nd time.

They can press all they want, there's a reason players wait. It's in his best interest.
- Lunaion

That's out of their control though. The only thing they can control is their own leverage. Having Ullmark gives them a 2nd option, which means Swayman holds less sway over them (pun intended). Had they pushed Swayman over the summer and he refused to sign, they could've pivoted to Ullmark as the starter and gotten a hell of a return from Swayman. Instead, Swayman is in the driver seat and they're going to get dragged into an expensive contract or a lowsy return.

I agree.
Teams use the leverage to their advantage, why should the player be any different when they have it.
F'em
- IonSabres

Right. Can't blame Skinner for that contract, he got every dollar he could...as is should be in business. Boston having that issue is refreshing.

That's out of their control though. The only thing they can control is their own leverage. Having Ullmark gives them a 2nd option, which means Swayman holds less sway over them (pun intended). Had they pushed Swayman over the summer and he refused to sign, they could've pivoted to Ullmark as the starter and gotten a hell of a return from Swayman. Instead, Swayman is in the driver seat and they're going to get dragged into an expensive contract or a lowsy return.
- QuinnFan

Trades are harder than internal contracts. They also had to contend with cap space.

Just don't see waiting as a viable option. They'll get the deal done, just a matter of time.

Trades are harder than internal contracts. They also had to contend with cap space.

Just don't see waiting as a viable option. They'll get the deal done, just a matter of time.
- Lunaion

I think the issue is they didn't have to wait. If they get a deal done, great for them, but that price is going to be high. If it was too high to stomach in the summer, it shouldn't be any different now. Unfortunately, they traded Ullmark, so it doesn't matter and they need to get it done. That's why I expect a 9.5-10M dollar price tag. I know Florida has done it, but it's tough to win with 12-14M tied up in tenders.

I think the issue is they didn't have to wait. If they get a deal done, great for them, but that price is going to be high. If it was too high to stomach in the summer, it shouldn't be any different now. Unfortunately, they traded Ullmark, so it doesn't matter and they need to get it done. That's why I expect a 9.5-10M dollar price tag. I know Florida has done it, but it's tough to win with 12-14M tied up in tenders.
- QuinnFan

Well, they only have 8.5m cap space, so I think we have a pretty good idea of where this ends up.

Unless you'd trade Swayman, I don't see how you navigate this much better. You can't wait until September/October to make your goalie trade.

Well, they only have 8.5m cap space, so I think we have a pretty good idea of where this ends up.

Unless you'd trade Swayman, I don't see how you navigate this much better. You can't wait until September/October to make your goalie trade.
- Lunaion

They could've traded Carlo or Frederic easily enough this summer, to open up some more room. If Swayman wants more than 8.5M, which is rumored, and he can get it on the open market, then what incentive does he have to take less? Isn't like Boston is on the rise.

And fully agreed. Which is why I'm saying he needed to be traded this summer. Being that they didn't, he can hold them over the fire now.

Any sober agent would be telling him to do the same. He has Boston over the barrel. I expect 9.5-10M. Why they didn't get the contract done BEFORE trading Ullmark is beyond me. Neely (frank)ed that up in a big way.
- QuinnFan

I thought the rumor was that he wanted 10.50 a year.

Bruins lost all leverage when they traded Ullmark

Swayman also hates the bruins front office since his arbitration last year. Bruins keeps digging themselves into a hole

I bet he gets traded out west

I thought the rumor was that he wanted 10.50 a year.

Bruins lost all leverage when they traded Ullmark

Swayman also hates the bruins front office since his arbitration last year. Bruins keeps digging themselves into a hole

I bet he gets traded out west
- Sabretooth9

That was the rumored ask.

Agreed.

Hadn't heard that, but hurt feelings at arbitration meetings isn't anything new.

Could be. I think Lun is right and a deal gets done, but I wouldn't be surprised if either it's a 1 year deal (kicking the can down the road) or they have to unload a contract to get him in the 9M range.

That was the rumored ask.

Agreed.

Hadn't heard that, but hurt feelings at arbitration meetings isn't anything new.

Could be. I think Lun is right and a deal gets done, but I wouldn't be surprised if either it's a 1 year deal (kicking the can down the road) or they have to unload a contract to get him in the 9M range.
- QuinnFan

No way he takes a 1-year deal. ZERO chance. He is their best player.

Pay him or trade him to a team that will for .50cent on the dollar.

That was the rumored ask.

Agreed.

Hadn't heard that, but hurt feelings at arbitration meetings isn't anything new.

Could be. I think Lun is right and a deal gets done, but I wouldn't be surprised if either it's a 1 year deal (kicking the can down the road) or they have to unload a contract to get him in the 9M range.
- QuinnFan

Think you see my point that having Ullmark there today causes a different set of problems, and likely costs them an offseason signing.

If he's holding out for more than 9m, and this goes into November, then I'll change my mind and think they miscalculated this badly. For now, I just assume this gets done because they have an appropriate amount of money sitting there for him. Eventually leverage swings, unless he's willing to sit out a season.

No way he takes a 1-year deal. ZERO chance. He is their best player.

Pay him or trade him to a team that will for .50cent on the dollar.
- DirtyDan

It's doubtful, but if he thinks he can get more as a UFA, there's a chance he could bite at that. Bruins get a year more to try and work out an extension, along with a starting goalie, he gets even more leverage.

Think you see my point that having Ullmark there today causes a different set of problems, and likely costs them an offseason signing.

If he's holding out for more than 9m, and this goes into November, then I'll change my mind and think they miscalculated this badly. For now, I just assume this gets done because they have an appropriate amount of money sitting there for him. Eventually leverage swings, unless he's willing to sit out a season.
- Lunaion

I do, but you're mistaking me somewhat. I would have traded Swayman by now IF he didn't budge on the contract. I think Ullmark is a competent starter too, so I would've kept whichever one was amenable to signing an extension. My point is simply that they didn't have a contract in place with him, traded Ullmark anyways, and now they're left holding the bag.

I do agree that having both now would be a bad position, but it's still more tenable than having neither (which is what they currently have). Rock meet hard place kinda stuff. Best case scenario right now was they trade Swayman to Ottawa for way more and keep Ullmark OR they get Swayman to make a decision in the offseason to resign, then trade Ullmark.

It's doubtful, but if he thinks he can get more as a UFA, there's a chance he could bite at that. Bruins get a year more to try and work out an extension, along with a starting goalie, he gets even more leverage.
- QuinnFan

You don't throw away 8-11 million a year for a chance at UFA. 1 injury from never getting that contract again.

He said he's fighting not only for himself but every other goalie in the league to get them better money (Hes delusional)

You don't throw away 8-11 million a year for a chance at UFA. 1 injury from never getting that contract again.

He said he's fighting not only for himself but every other goalie in the league to get them better money (Hes delusional)
- DirtyDan

He is probably getting pressure from the players union to do exactly that.

I do, but you're mistaking me somewhat. I would have traded Swayman by now IF he didn't budge on the contract. I think Ullmark is a competent starter too, so I would've kept whichever one was amenable to signing an extension. My point is simply that they didn't have a contract in place with him, traded Ullmark anyways, and now they're left holding the bag.

I do agree that having both now would be a bad position, but it's still more tenable than having neither (which is what they currently have). Rock meet hard place kinda stuff. Best case scenario right now was they trade Swayman to Ottawa for way more and keep Ullmark OR they get Swayman to make a decision in the offseason to resign, then trade Ullmark.
- QuinnFan

Who is the last big player to sit out a season, in a contract dispute?

I know we have to worry about small market stuff. I don't think Boston even considers not getting this ironed out.

He said he's fighting not only for himself but every other goalie in the league to get them better money (Hes delusional)
- DirtyDan

translation.... I see how much the cap is projected to start rising over the next 8 years

This is a little crazy.


"Normally I do not release statements or discuss negotiations through the media," said Gross in a statement. "However, in this case, I feel I need to defend my client. At today's press conference, $64 million was referenced. This was the first time that number was discussed in our negotiations. Prior to the press conference, no offer was made reaching that level.

"We are extremely disappointed. This was not fair to Jeremy. We will take a few days to discuss where we go from here."

This is a little crazy.


"Normally I do not release statements or discuss negotiations through the media," said Gross in a statement. "However, in this case, I feel I need to defend my client. At today's press conference, $64 million was referenced. This was the first time that number was discussed in our negotiations. Prior to the press conference, no offer was made reaching that level.

"We are extremely disappointed. This was not fair to Jeremy. We will take a few days to discuss where we go from here."
- Lunaion

This is great lol (frank) Boston

I hope this tears that team apart

This is a little crazy.


"Normally I do not release statements or discuss negotiations through the media," said Gross in a statement. "However, in this case, I feel I need to defend my client. At today's press conference, $64 million was referenced. This was the first time that number was discussed in our negotiations. Prior to the press conference, no offer was made reaching that level.

"We are extremely disappointed. This was not fair to Jeremy. We will take a few days to discuss where we go from here."
- Lunaion

“We are extremely disappointed. This was not fair to Jeremy. We will take a few days to discuss where we go from here.“

Will Swayman be westward (conference) bound soon? lollol https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cyO271GChk