Boston Bruins fans appear to be sick and tired with Jeremy Swayman

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Daniel Lucente
October 4, 2024 (1:30 PM)

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The tide is turning, and fans of the Boston Bruins no longer appear to be on Jeremy Swayman's side, as many have started throwing harsh comments towards him.

One might think that Jeremy Swayman, the promising young goalie of the Boston Bruins, would have every reason in the world to be frustrated with his team these days, and more importantly, with the front office. Things escalated when Bruins president Cam Neely stated the club offered Swayman a $64 million contract, a claim quickly denied by Swayman's representatives. His agent even went so far as to call Neely a liar and insinuated the war could get worse, implying this circumstance could even lead to a trade request.

The issue spilled into the public when, during a preseason game in Quebec City, a few fans of the Bruins showed their frustration. A fan held a sign that read, "Take 64 or go," directed at Swayman. While the exhibition game against the Los Angeles Kings drew many fans to the Centre Videotron, the crowd wasn't entirely united in their opinion on the matter. The Boston fans are usually opinionated and passionate; they have different ideas about whether Swayman should take the reputed deal or hold out for more.

That $64 million figure originally sprouted from the fan's sign was courtesy of Neely's controversial comment. However, NHL insider Frank Seravalli later reported that the real offer from the Bruins came to $62.4 million, which averaged out to $7.8 million per year across eight seasons. The gap may not be a big one, but it's another log on the fire in the ongoing debate between Swayman and the Bruins and has made negotiations all the more troublesome.

Admittedly, not all Bruins fans feel this way, just a vocal few. Indeed, on social media, views were divided, many coming to Swayman's defense, saying he should get a better deal if he can negotiate it. They say Swayman has been so promising and deserves a contract that reflects his potential as the team's future starter in goal. He is considered a major integral part of the Boston machinery, and not everyone seems ready to force him out the door over what equates to a contract dispute.

With the deadline of December 1st fast approaching, the clock ticks down for an agreement between both parties. If they fail to reach a deal by that date, he will remain inactive for the rest of the 2024-25 season, a scenario neither he nor the Bruins can really afford. The next few weeks will prove to be very telling as both parties work to bridge the gap in this high-stakes contract standoff.