Swayman not happy after negotiations with Bruins

Earlier this week the Boston Bruins came to terms with goaltender Jeremy Swayman on a one year, $3.475 million contract.

Well... technically an independent arbitrator came to a judgement and awarded Swayman with his new deal. Neither Swayman or the Bruins would acquiesce in negotiations, forcing Swayman to seek a judge's decision after undergoing salary arbitration. And it sounds like the Bruins netminder was not happy with how the process played out.

“It wasn’t a process I wanted to go through,” Swayman told Boston.com. “But I understand that it’s a business and in the end I’m grateful I went through it because I have so many things to be grateful for.”

These arbitration hearings have a reputation for being brutal on players as the team usually uses any leverage they can in order to drive down contract prices. Former and current NHL players have gone on record stating that they were reduced to tears and lost their will to play for their teams following arbitration hearings. There's no indication that things were particularly brutal between Swayman and the Bruins, but nevertheless the goaltender probably won't go to arbitration again.

“I think the biggest thing is living day by day, understanding that what you hear might not be the truth at all times and again, it’s a business,” Swayman said. “I wanted to make sure that whatever was thrown my way, I was gonna be able to attack with a good mindset and make sure that at the end of the day, I was doing everything I could to be a Boston Bruin.

“Now I’m here today and I am a Boston Bruin — I couldn’t be happier. There’s no ill will on the process, because I understand that. I’m not the first player to go through it. I’m not the last. But I definitely don’t wish it upon any of my friends and teammates moving forward and I don’t want to do it ever again as well. So grateful I went through it. Glad I got it done. I’m a Boston Bruin at the end of the day.”

Ironically though, Swayman will be back at the negotiating table with the Penguins in less than 12 months time.