Jeremy Swayman and the Bruins: Will They Manage the Balancing Act with the Contract?

Jeremy Swayman has thrilled the fans of the Boston Bruins in the 2023-24 season. Especially in the crucial games against the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers, the goaltender was an outstanding performer. Swayman impresses with his speed, intelligence, composure, and fighting spirit. While he may not be as spectacular as Andrei Vasilevskiy, his strength lies in precise positioning and efficient saves. The question now arises whether Swayman should be compensated similarly to Vasilevskiy, whose contract includes an annual salary of $9.5 million. The NHL’s current salary cap stands at $88 million, which also influences the negotiations. However, while Vasilevskiy has already had two regular seasons as the clear number one and even won the Vezina Trophy, Swayman has not yet reached that status. If one were to base it solely on future performance, Swayman might be entitled to $11.5 million annually. However, the NHL places a strong emphasis on past successes, as David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy know from their own experience. In 2017, Pastrnak referenced Filip Forsberg's contract when negotiating his second contract extension. Forsberg had accumulated 133 points in 182 games before signing, while Pastrnak had 123 points in 172 games. Consequently, the Bruins' right winger secured a six-year, $40 million contract. Similarly, in 2019, McAvoy looked to Zach Werenski as a benchmark and eventually signed a three-year, $14.7 million deal. For Swayman, however, there is no direct comparison, complicating negotiations for General Manager Don Sweeney and Swayman’s agent, Lewis Gross. The Bruins and Swayman stand at a crossroads just before the start of training camp, and it’s unclear whether Swayman will hold out his services to secure his desired contract. According to Sportsnet, Swayman is demanding $9.5 million annually—the same salary McAvoy earns in his third contract. Yet Swayman must first prove himself as the clear number one, while McAvoy had already completed three seasons as a top defender when he signed his contract. A possible solution could be a four-year, $28 million contract, making Swayman the fifth highest-paid goaltender in the league. This would put him at 29 years old when he enters unrestricted free agency, allowing him to seek another significant contract at that time. For the Bruins, this means they would not endanger their long-term ambitions and would remain flexible. The Bruins have already shown they can be generous at the right time. McAvoy earned more than most defensemen during his last contract extension, and Pastrnak also managed to negotiate a lucrative deal.