(Photo Credit: Steve Babineau - Getty Images)
Finally, all can exhale.
The Bruins, and Jeremy Swayman have executed a contract agreement that will keep the 25-year old, star net minder, in Boston until 2032.
The deal carries an Average Annual Value (AAV) of $8,250,000 for a term of 8 years.
It wasn't exactly a smooth negotiation - love lost between Swayman's agent, Lewis Gross, and Bruins GM, Don Sweeney, didn't exactly exude confidence throughout the process.
Here's a one-minute recap of the drama that ensued during the final week of negotiations.
Ultimately at the end of the day, Swayman was negotiating as a restricted free-agent, which has its limitations - unless BOS traded his rights, he remained under team control. As an RFA, the player didn't have the luxury of an open market bidding as seen with UFA's - making it unlikely to receive his highest AAV of preference.
Yes, his play has earned him praise, and acknowledgment as a top-5 goalie in the NHL - but because of his RFA status, and lack of proven heavy-workload ability - neither he, nor his agent were in a position to be making high-leverage demands.
Now simultaneously, because of Swayman's elite talent, and ability - not signing him was never the preferred option for the Bruins - barring irrational, prolonged stubbornness from the player's camp.
Sweeney understood the importance of ultimately getting a deal done.
2.34-GAA, and .919-SV% in 132 regular season games played
2.38-GAA, and .922-SV% in 20 postseason games played
89 total career-wins, 12 career shutouts
He enters next season as one of the best players at his position.
The Bruins are fortunate to have him, and their fans are lucky to watch him.
Here's to more saves like this.
And moments like this.
For years to come.
(Photo Credit: Fred Kfoury III - Icon Sportswire)
Commentaires