Brad Marchand’s concerning comments on Jeremy Swayman’s contract dispute

The Boston Bruins are getting nervous and it certainly feels that way after head coach Jim Montgomery refused to get into the Jeremy Swayman’s contract situation at Thursday’s Boston Bruins Foundation Golf Tournament at Pinehills Golf Club in Plymouth.

“I’m not going to get into the contract situation. It’s not my area of expertise. It’s Don’s,” Montgomery said, referring to general manager Don Sweeney.

It sure is, but Sweeney does not appear to be any closer to signing the goalie. Earlier this month, Spittin’ Chiclets co-host Ryan Whitney got involved in the Swayman’s contract negotiations when he revealed on air the Bruins’ offer to the restricted free agent goaltender. Recent reports had claimed that the goalie was seeking $10M AAV for his next contract as he continues to negotiate, while insider Frank Seravalli just claimed that Swayman is asking for around $8 million AAV, while the Bruins are sitting around $6 million AAV.

“Current Swayman offer from the Bruins. 4 years x $6.2 million (per year).” Whitney said.

In this morning’s 32 Thoughts podcast on Sportsnet, insider Elliotte Friedman reported that there was still a sizable gap during contract negotiations between Swayman and Boston.

After trading Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators earlier this summer, the Bruins look to Swayman to lead the way in Boston with a bigger workload. Last year, he recorded a .916 save percentage in 44 games and ranked fifth in the NHL in goals saved above expected. Though now, the team could be left without him, until a deal gets done.

When asked about the situation at the Bruins Foundation golf tournament, captain Brad Marchand quickly spoke of the situation in Boston:

“It’s a big topic of conversation with the fans and the media, and this is part of the business, and we all are really looking forward to when it does get done and the process is over and he is back with the group. But that’s obviously out of our hands and we don’t get involved in any of that. So it’ll be great when everything gets kind of squared away.”