Swayman mulled potential end of Bruins tenure during 2024 playoffs
Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman's expiring contract was on his mind when Boston was eliminated from the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, according to footage from Amazon's upcoming series, "FACEOFF: Inside the NHL."
"I don't want it to end. It could be the last time I wear a Bruins jersey," he said during the show's third episode, according to The Athletic's Fluto Shinzawa and Chris Johnston. "I know I'm going to do everything in my power to be a Bruin for a long time. As a kid growing up in Alaska, this was in my wildest f-----g dreams."
He added, "I was just thinking about that jersey, like, 'Is it the last time?' That's when I was like, 'Whoa.' You're skating around (TD) Garden, you're looking up and you're hearing your name chanted, and it's like, 'Whoa.' Like ... 'f---.'"
Swayman started all six games of the Bruins' second-round series against the Florida Panthers, posting a strong .917 save percentage. He made 26 saves on 28 shots on home ice during Boston's season-ending 2-1 loss in Game 6.
Boston only mustered eight goals in the last five contests, contributing to the team's fifth consecutive early playoff exit since it made the Stanley Cup Final in 2019.
Swayman is the league's lone remaining restricted free agent less than one week from the official start of the Bruins' 2024-25 season.
When discussing negotiations Monday, Bruins president Cam Neely hinted at Boston's offer, saying Swayman has "64 million reasons" to be playing. Swayman's agent, Lewis Gross, later denied hearing that figure in discussions.
If Neely's comment refers to an eight-year deal with an $8-million cap hit, it would make Swayman the league's sixth-highest paid goalie in 2024-25.
The 25-year-old played out a one-year, $3.475-million deal, which was awarded to him in arbitration as an RFA in 2023. Swayman previously made it clear he never wanted to go through the process again despite being eligible for arbitration this past summer.
Swayman revealed on "FACEOFF" that he created a motivational checklist based on things that were said during his hearing.
"My arbitrator started first, he said all of these great things," he said. "The arbitrator on their side, their job is to help the management side and to rip players, and hearing that you're not worthy of what you think you're worthy of, that was hard to hear. You don't forget what was said."
He added, "My biggest knock was how I wasn't trustworthy in the playoffs. Check."
The docuseries officially drops on Friday.