The NHL Network: Elliotte Friedman on NHL Network when asked about Jeremy Swayman’s RFA status with the Boston Bruins, what he might be looking at, what the feelings are on both sides, and when is the next push?
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Jamieson Coyle: “Jeremy Swayman, there is no more goalie to hug because Linus Ullmark is no longer a Boston Bruin, he is an Ottawa Senator.
And as of now, Jeremy Swamy is out of contract, and is an RFA. Looking at the net sellers for the last three seasons…”
Mike Johnson: “Good. It’s great.”
Coyle: “Good. .914, .920, .916, save percentages, respectively.”
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We’re bringing Elliot Friedman back here to pay off his Fastpass bills, and with Elliott, Jeremy Swayman is on the ice today for the Boston Bruins in captain’s practice.
Where is this going from here? And are you surprised that we’re still talking about it not being done now?”
Friedman: “No, I’m not, because there’s always something, Jamison, going on this time of year. And to be honest, there is still time, there is still time. I know people are going to talk about it, they’re going to talk about, hey, you know, we don’t want this to go to training camp. There is always one who goes to training camp or later.
I think it’s always more, as Kelly Hrudy always tells me it’s more challenging for a goaltender than a skater to miss time. But to be honest, and Mike, you can tell me if I’m wrong, I don’t think it’s anyone’s panic mode yet. Like I’m not looking at this, the day after Labor Day, and saying ‘It’s a disaster he didn’t sign.’
I think the challenge here is, I know there was a report last week that Swayman was asking for $10 million. I didn’t hear that. What I heard was asking was Charlie McAvoy’s world number, which is nine and a half, but it’s not that far. At that point in time, we’re splitting hairs, and the Bruins weren’t even close to that.
So I still think there is time. I still think there are some pressure points. I thought Swayman did an interesting interview on the podcast where he talked about how good other players are.
I don’t have a good answer as to where this one is based right now. But I heard, I heard the last time I checked, they were still very different. However, I always insist that one phone call can change that.”
Johnson: “Elliotte, what have you heard, the tender nature of these negotiations? Because Swayman was very honest and forthright about being businesslike and firm about what he wanted.
And the Bruin side has generally been kind of good, like we’re going to be okay. We will do it. We know you are important.
So in public, everything is fine. Just a discussion. But privately, was there a conflict? Because it looks like Swayman is fixated, legally, on what he’s asking for right now. “
Friedman: “Well, I think, as you know, Mike likes, in negotiating your deals, like Swayman last summer he got a rough introduction to the business side, right? As he had arb to hear, which he didn’t like.
I think, I think while he’s a straight guy and a very happy guy, I think he has a better understanding of what this is about.
Like, one thing about the Bruins is they really try to hold the line. Now they, you know, McAvoy pushed it. And obviously, (David) Pastrnak pushed it. And so what Swayman is looking at here, and this is just my opinion. No one has ever told me that, that no matter how much you want to play, you’ve seen what happens when some of your teammates like to push the line a little.
And the Bruins like, to them, it’s a business, they’re going to say, ‘No, this is our number. No, this is our number.’ And finally, when all is said and done, you’re a Bruin, and they take care of you. But getting from A to B, it’s grinding. And I think right now we’re seeing both sides grinding.
Johnson: “Without our advance. Because you’re right, we have weeks, weeks and months until the real season starts.”
Coyle: “Tell that to the Boston fans.”
Johnson: “Ullmark is not there, (Joonas) Korpisalo, I don’t know if you can count on him. And Boston isn’t that great. They are a different kind of group. They will be good, but they won’t advance to the playoffs with 20 points. Like, at some point, is the next lever of pressure to start training camp, or is it closer to the start of the season? Like, how sure can Boston be of holding this line through September, maybe even October, with the Korpisalo options available to them as a backup?
Friedman: “Well, you know, Mike, I’m thinking honestly now, and I was going to tell you to disagree with me because you were a player, but many players tell me that one of the hardest points for them is now because your body is telling you that you have to play.
You should be skating, you should be ready to go to training camp. And then when no other people are there, it takes a really strong person to sit in your place. The fact that I have a lot of players tells me over the years that the next week and the next 15 days, that’s when the players feel the most pressure.
And then when the games start, it goes to the results as you know, if a team, if Boston, goes out and wins five of the first six games, even though they know that in the long run they are much better, much better. and Jeremy Swayman, it’s a little catchy.
I always remember, I’m not a Cowboys fan, but I always remember in 1992 or 93 when Emmitt Smith missed the first two games and the Cowboys went 0-2, they came right back and gave him everything he wanted, like. At that time, the results speak, but historically the players have told me that the moment is one of the most difficult things for them, because your body and your mind are telling you to prepare to play, but you don’t have a contract.”
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Johnson: “I’m going to argue with you Elliotte. It is very difficult on October 6, because it is the first day without pay. So yes, it’s not good now, but it’s hard when the payment starts coming out of your pocket.”
Coyle: “He draws a hard line.”
Friedman: “That’s a good point. I accept the argument, I accept the argument.”
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