NHL insider Pierre LeBrun provided some updates regarding the Jeremy Swayman negotiations.
The Boston Bruins may be back on the ice, but Jeremy Swayman isn't. The star goaltender remains a restricted free agent with the regular season right around the corner.
According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, Swayman is specifically seeking an eight-year contract. LeBrun noted that the Bruins' preference is to lock Swayman up to a long-term deal as well.
However, while the Bruins and Swayman are both looking for a long-term deal, the big issue at this juncture is their average annual value asking prices. It is holding up a contract getting done, and LeBrun noted that the Bruins and Swayman are still far apart because of it.
LeBrun also provided another significant update. The NHL insider reported that the Bruins have set an internal deadline to get Swayman signed by - their season opener on Oct. 8 against the Florida Panthers.
Jeremy SwaymanIt is a no-brainer why Sweeney wants to get Swayman signed to his next contract before the start of the season. After trading Linus Ullmark, the Bruins desperately need Swayman to be under contract for the beginning of the season, or they could face some serious difficulties early on.
We will need to wait and see if Sweeney can reach his goal of signing Swayman before the start of the campaign. While the Bruins have until Dec. 1 to sign Swayman, it would be disastrous if they started the year without No. 1.