After having to go through an arbitration hearing to get a contract done with goaltender Jeremy Swayman last summer, it appears the Bruins are trying to avoid that this time around. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports in his latest 32 Thoughts column that they’ve started discussions on an extension with the netminder. Swayman is playing on a $3.475MM award that basically split the submissions from last summer’s hearing and has a nearly identical save percentage this year (.919) as he did a year ago (.920) heading into tonight’s action. With arbitration eligibility once again this summer, it’s quite possible that Swayman’s price tag pushes past the $5MM mark on a short-term deal and even higher if they could reach a long-term agreement.
Elsewhere around the NHL:
- In his latest podcast (video link), Chris Johnston of TSN and The Athletic reports that the Wild are trying to sign defenseman Zach Bogosian to a contract extension. Minnesota acquired the 33-year-old from Tampa Bay early in the season and he has held his own on their third pairing, logging over 17 minutes a night while recording nine points and 80 hits in 43 games. If they can’t get a deal done, however, Johnston reports that the Maple Leafs are among the teams that have checked in on Bogosian’s availability. They’ve already added on the back end with the reacquisition of Ilya Lyubushkin but if they can’t add an impact blueliner, shoring up their depth – perhaps with another second-timer with the team – isn’t necessarily a bad fall-back plan.
- One day after recalling him, the Canucks announced (Twitter link) that defenseman Matt Irwin was sent back to AHL Abbotsford. Aside from two short stints with Vancouver where he didn’t play, the 36-year-old has played exclusively in the minors where he has 10 points in 46 games so far. Carson Soucy is believed to be nearing a return from his hand injury so this assignment could suggest that the blueliner is ready to suit up.
- The Sharks are trying to be creative to make a Mikael Granlund trade work, reports TSN’s Pierre LeBrun in his latest piece for The Athletic (subscription link). The 32-year-old has had a bounce-back year playing a much bigger role in San Jose as he has 36 points in 47 while averaging nearly 21 minutes a night. However, Granlund has another year left on his deal at $5MM, a price tag that would be difficult for several buyers to afford. San Jose only has one salary retention slot left so they might prefer to take a pricey contract back over using that final slot on Granlund through next season.
Of course Guerin wants to extend an old broken down, Injury riddled war horse. Lol.
In my area we have a radio host and tv the heard rumors that Jeremy Swayman has a offer from the B’s of 8y at around 7m per and he hates everything about it and I don’t get y he’s young and by the time it come in to play of being to much for him the deal could be a steal because the prices are only going to get higher and he’s a top 10g right now plus if they don’t like they can keep Ullmark and trade JS in the offseason that would have great value because he will be signed long term
I get they are going through a tough run right now but they also still missing Lindholm a key part to the D if they trade guys it needs to be softy’s Griz and DeBrusk who they should’ve traded in the offseason when he had good trade value
I think you answered your own question. Swayman is probably looking at a 3-4 year contract so that he will still be young enough that his next free agent contract will be lucrative. If he signed an 8 year contract now, that will probably be his only big ticket contract for his entire career.
Did you say this into your phone in one breath?