As is often the case over the course of NHL contract negotiations, Jeremy Swayman and the Bruins endured a little drama before they found common ground.
Speaking with the media last Monday, team president Cam Neely indicated Boston offered Swayman a contract worth $64 million. Hours later, the goaltender's agent, Lewis Gross, released a statement refuting Neely's claim.
Swayman addressed the back-and-forth Sunday morning, not long after he signed an eight-year, $66 million deal with the Black and Gold.
"Lewis was incredible in this entire process," Swayman told reporters, as seen on NESN. "It just goes to show what he would do to really protect me as his client and sticking his neck out and making sure everyone knew that some accusations are true and some are false. It's not my job necessarily -- right here, right now -- to give you that answer. Obviously, our party and our team know the truth. At the same time, we found an agreement and the fact that I could be here for eight years gives me goosebumps. It's an incredible feeling. That's all I care about -- moving forward and winning for this organization."
Excitement was the emotion most stressed by Swayman after landing the first big contract of his young NHL career. That was easy to understand, as the 25-year-old now is one of the league's highest-paid goaltenders and will continue to play with one of the most illustrious franchises in the sport.
