Whether you agree with his tactics or not, it’s hard not to think that Boston Bruins team president Cam Neely played a major role in his team and restricted free agent goalie Jeremy Swayman agreeing on and then announcing a new, eight-year, $66 million contract for Swayman on Sunday morning.
”Cam saved those talks IMHO,” one NHL executive texted this puck scribe on Sunday afternoon. “I know a lot of people didn’t like his tactics and said he crossed a line, but if he doesn’t put the pressure on Swayman last Monday, this thing is going into the season.”
A week ago, the Boston Bruins and Swayman appeared to be rapidly approaching an impasse that would likely carry into their 2024-25 regular season, which begins on Tuesday night in Sunrise, Florida. Something needed to spark talks in earnest again, and, as he did so many times as a player, Cam Neely attempted to do just that with a loud and bold move that put the pressure squarely on Swayman and his agent, Lewis Gross.
“Well, I don’t want to get into the weeds with what his ask is, but I know that I have 64 million reasons why I’d be playing right now,” Neely replied when asked if he could divulge any details on the contract demands of Swayman and his agent Lewis Gross.
By Monday night, Gross had released this statement, essentially calling the Bruins’ president and hall of famer a liar:
”Normally, I do not release statements or discuss negotiations through the media. However, in this case, I feel I need to defend my client. At today’s press conference, $64 million was referenced. This was the first time that number was discussed in our negotiations. Prior to the press conference, no offer was made reaching that level.
”We are extremely disappointed. This was not fair to Jeremy. We will take a few days to discuss where we go from here.”
Rumors intensified that the 25-year-old Swayman could request a trade from the Bruins, and public opinion on the contract stalemate swayed in favor of the team over the player. It should be noted that another NHL source confirmed that more than one team contacted the Bruins to inform them of their interest in acquiring Swayman should one or both parties make it public that a trade was needed. Based on numerous conversations since last Monday, the guess (and I stress guess!) is that the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings were two teams that did just that.
Just under a week later, though, the Bruins were headed south to face the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers, on Tuesday, with their No. 1 goalie signed, sealed, and delivered. Swayman wound up with $2 million extra reasons and is now tied with New York Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin as the fourth-highest-paid active goalie in the NHL.
What was said between the Neely and Gross comments is still anyone’s guess, as neither Bruins general manager Don Sweeney nor Jeremy Swayman would give a concrete answer on whether Gross’ accusation was true.
”I’m so excited to be a Boston Bruin,” Swayman replied when asked point-blank if Gross was telling the truth. “The fact that we went through this process and the tools that I learned with it, it’s gone now. All that I care about is being a Bruin and the fact I can do that for eight years and instill myself as a leader and a true member of this city is all I care about right now. I couldn’t be happier.
It was a day-by-day thing. It was a negotiation, and I respect the fact that you have to ask these questions, but what I’m truly focused on is the future, the here and now. Everything else is a blur in my mind. All I’m worried about is being in the net for the Boston Bruins right now. I am overjoyed with it. I’m really excited about it.”
Swayman was pressed again and gave a not-so-veiled backing of Gross’ statement last Monday.
”Our party and our team know the truth,” Swayman said before once again putting a positive spin on the situation. “At the same time, we found an agreement, and the fact that I could be here for eight years gives me goosebumps saying that.”
Prior to Swayman addressing the Boston media, Sweeney would not confirm or deny whether or not the $64 million contract Neely referenced was, as Gross said, the first time the Swayman camp knew of that offer.
”I just think, in the spirit of negotiations, there’s a range of things when people are talking,” Sweeney replied when also asked point-blank about Neely’s comment and Gross’ reaction last Monday. “I think Lewis and I’s communication – and he’s really good at advocating for his client and when pushback comes, he’s defending his client in that sense. Specifics, albeit in our conversations, are important; in the exterior and the narrative, they’re not as important.”
Sweeney’s absolutely correct. Whether or not Neely informed the Swayman camp publicly rather than privately and what anyone thinks of it is a moot point now. The bottom line is that it worked, and Neely deserves credit for that.
