Felger: I wouldn’t pay Swayman a market setting contract
As Boston Bruins training camp nears, Felger gives his latest thoughts on the Jeremy Swayman contract situation.
Felger: I’ve given you my thoughts, I’ve talked about this a lot…If I were the Bruins, I wouldn’t pay him. Nope, I’m not and for two reasons…I’m reluctant to pay any goalie top of the market money. I think we’re in an era of hockey where it’s not the best goalie that wins, but the best team. And a lot of teams are winning with kind of sidecar goaltending. And it’s more important to have a good d-core. I’d rather have a number one defenseman than a number one goalie to put it like that. I’d rather have two solid lines than a number one goalie. So I’m not paying any guy that money. So that’s number one.
Felger: And two…Oh, by the way, I don’t think Jeremy Swayman is that guy yet. And I have faith in the Bruins ability, between goalie Bob and however they do it here, to pump out the next goalie. So I’m not paying him. He’s asking for $9.5-10 million, which would make him an AAV somewhere between the third or second highest paid goalie in the league. No shot. See you later. Even you know what would I give him $6.5 million? I’d give him $6.5 million. He’s got two years before he’s an unrestricted free agent, so you’re buying out restricted years, not unrestricted years.So I just, I would not give him a market setting contract. I don’t think he’s proven himself as a top of the market goalie. I wouldn’t give that to anyone by the way, never mind someone who hasn’t proven it.
