Felger & Mazz: Thoughts on the latest with Jeremy Swayman
The Boston Bruins brass met the media today ahead of next week’s start to the 2024-25 season. When asked about the Jeremy Swayman negotiations, Cam Neely had some interesting things to say about it. Felger and Mazz give their thoughts on the situation.
Felger: So I don’t know what else Neely would be referring to there, setting a goalie market at his stage of his career as a restricted guy, maybe? So I don’t know if there’s any nuance into what he said there. But if he’s truly looking to set the goalie market, that’s $11 million per year.
Jim Murray: To which I would say: Good, no thanks! They should be this dug in.
Mazz: Right. What they should do is now start to lower the offer, that’s what they should do. Every day you sit out, we’re going to lower it another one hundered grand or quarter of a million or whatever. OK, so you’ve already been out 10 days, so you just lost a million and were down to $63 million.
Felger: So you’re taking a real hard stance.
Mazz: Yes, I would. Again, you want to hold out till December 1st? Then hold out until December 1st. You decide how much you want to make.
Jim Murray: I’m with Mazz on this. And so what, may these comments by Cam Neely further alienate Jeremy Swayman and his camp? Then F-off. You’re crazy asking for that kind of money for a guy that’s never played more than 44 games of the season. 8x* is pretty damn fair dude. Like they should take that money.
Felger: No doubt about it.
Felger: Who does this guy think he is?
Mazz: They’re just going to wait. They’ll say, “look, it’s sitting there, when you’re ready to take it, let us know when you take it.”
Listen to Felger and Mazz from 2-6 every Monday-Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with hosts Mike Felger, Tony “Mazz” Massarotti, and Jim Murray “Big Jim”. You can listen live in the Sports Hub App and subscribe to their podcasts here. Follow @FelgerAndMazz on Twitter to keep up with the show!
Bruins slice camp roster in half with massive round of cuts
Sep 24, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins right wing Fabian Lysell (23) blocks a pass during the third period against the New York Rangers at TD Garden. (Eric Canha/USA TODAY Sports)
Up front, the Bruins decided to send 2021 first-round pick Fabian Lysell down to Providence.
The talk of the offseason, especially when it came to a vacant ‘RW2’ spot that was intentionally left unaddressed by the club, Lysell started slow this preseason, but appeared to pick things up with a goal and a penalty drawn in his second outing. Lysell also got the call in Saturday’s overtime loss in Philadelphia, and appeared to show some definite progress when it came to his on-ice vision and adapting to pro tendencies.
But it was not enough for Lysell to warrant a longer look this preseason, even with another three games left on the warm-up slate, with Lysell sent to the AHL once again.
In three games this preseason, the 21-year-old Lysell recorded one goal and four shots on goal. Lysell was also tied for the third-most individual scoring chances for (all strengths, with five, according to NaturalStatTrick.
One definite complaint you can have about Lysell this preseason is that the Black and Gold didn’t really seem to get him involved with NHL-level talent beyond the opening days, with Lysell’s final preseason appearance coming on what was a third-line look with Johnny Beecher and Patrick Brown.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 04: Georgii Merkulov #42 of the Boston Bruins takes a shot against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at TD Garden on January 04, 2024. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Along with Lysell, the Bruins also sent Georgii Merkulov, another player who was considered a potential favorite (among young players anyway) to make the NHL jump, back down to the AHL.
Merkulov’s demotion comes with the Russian-born forward tied for the team lead with two points (both assists) through three games this preseason. For Merkulov, who was at one point in camp lauded by Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery for his practice habits and efforts, the best play of the preseason came on a slick backhand dish to Justin Brazeau for a goal in last Tuesday’s preseason win over the Capitals at TD Garden.
In addition to the points, Merkulov was credited with three hits, a blocked shot, and won 14 of 30 faceoffs throughout his three-game preseason run with the club.
Sep 26, 2023; Buffalo, New York, USA; Boston Bruins center Trevor Kuntar (52) deflects a shot on Buffalo Sabres goaltender Devon Levi (27) during the first period at KeyBank Center. (Timothy T. Ludwig/USA TODAY Sports)
Elsewhere up front, the Bruins also reassigned forwards Joey Abate, Riley Duran, Brett Harrison, Trevor Kuntar, Adam Mechura, and Jaxon Nelson to AHL Providence. Both Harrison (Thursday in NY) and Kuntar (last Sunday against the Rangers) found the back of the net during their preseason runs with the Bruins.
One notable when it came to this round of cuts is that Tyler Johnson, who is with the Bruins on a pro tryout, remains with the NHL club here beyond the halfway point of the preseason slate.
Sep 24, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Michael Callahan (79) checks a shot by New York Rangers center Jake Leschyshyn (15) during the second period at TD Garden. (Eric Canha/USA TODAY Sports)
On the point, the Bruins went with some definite expected cuts, with Drew Bavaro, Frederic Brunet, Michael Callahan, Jackson Edward, Ryan Mast, and Mason Millman all assigned to Providence for the opening of P-Bruins camp. Nobody in this group was expected to compete for NHL minutes with the Bruins out of the gate.
In fact, this appears to be a case of the Black and Gold going with the path of least resistance when it comes to their first cuts from the backend, with every waiver-eligible defender who’s ultimately bound for the AHL by the time the season starts remaining with the club at this point in camp.
The B’s backend probably has the least room for movement out of every position group on this roster, with Parker Wotherspoon expected to be Boston’s seventh defenseman after a strong finish to his 2023-24.
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 13: Kasimir Kaskisuo #50 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the New York Islanders at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on November 13, 2019. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
In goal, the Bruins assigned Ryan Bischel and Nolan Maier to Providence, while veteran Kasimir Kaskisuo was released from his pro tryout with the club but also assigned to the P-Bruins.
All three goaltenders failed to draw into action for the club prior to their respective cuts.
