Boston Bruins reporter and columnist Jimmy Murphy recently appeared on the Fifth Liners podcast, where he shared insights from a scout regarding the ongoing contract negotiations between the Bruins and goaltender Jeremy Swayman. According to Murphy, the scout mentioned having a “weird feeling on this Swayman thing,” suggesting that the negotiations could be prolonged. The scout pointed out similarities to William Nylander’s previous contract dispute with the Toronto Maple Leafs and hinted that Swayman’s situation could follow a similar path.
The scout elaborated that Swayman’s agent, Lewis Gross, is known for being tough in negotiations and was the same agent who handled Nylander’s contentious contract talks in 2018. During that period, Nylander ended up holding out until the very last hours of the December 1st deadline before signing a deal, which ultimately delayed his start to the season and impacted his early performance. The scout’s comments indicate that a similar delay could be on the horizon for Swayman if both sides don’t come to an agreement soon.
Murphy added that the scout believes the stalemate could go on for quite some time if an agreement isn’t reached in the next two weeks. He remarked, “I think this is going to go for a long time,” and referenced how Gross’s handling of Nylander’s situation set a precedent. Murphy also mentioned that this negotiation has expanded beyond just the Bruins and Swayman, becoming an issue that involves the NHL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the players’ union, and even team owners. This broader context could make finding common ground even more challenging.
The comparison to Nylander’s standoff is significant because it was the longest holdout in the NHL salary cap era. Nylander’s negotiations dragged on until December 1st, 2018, and when he finally signed, he struggled to regain his form, which negatively affected both him and the team. With Gross at the helm, the scout believes Swayman’s case could follow a similar trajectory, potentially keeping the goaltender off the ice well into the regular season. Murphy cautioned that this could lead to complications for the Bruins, who may find themselves in a difficult position if Swayman remains unsigned.
Additionally, Murphy pointed out that Swayman’s stance isn’t just about his own contract but could set a precedent for other players in future negotiations. “This is about the CBA, this is about the player’s union, this is about owners,” he said, indicating that any escalation could have wider implications. With reports already suggesting that the Bruins are far apart from Swayman in terms of both average annual value (AAV) and contract term, it’s clear that this situation could spiral into a lengthy standoff, similar to past cases Gross has been involved with.