There are four remaining restricted free agents this summer, and the biggest one is Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman.

As Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported on his 32 Thoughts Podcast, the Bruins and Swayman are not even close to completing a new deal.

“The last I heard, they weren’t close,” Friedman said. “I think this has been a bit of a challenging negotiation, but they’ve still got time, and we’ll see how this sorts out.”

Friedman always warns that this can change with one phone call. And the sense is that is where things stand right now. The two sides are far apart in terms of finances, and this could linger when heading into training camp.

However, things might head in a different direction. Bruins President Cam Neely called into the Rich Shertenlieb Show and believes a deal will be done sooner rather than later.

“Something will get done. Theres no question. Not every negotiation is as smooth as you’d like & I know our fan base would like something done by now,” Cam Neely said. “But I’m fully confident both sides will come to an agreement before too long here.”

After salary arbitration last summer, Swayman was awarded a one-year deal worth $3.475 million. However, this was not a route Swayman wanted to go this season. He felt the contract negotiations were tough last year and was not a fan of the process.

During a recent interview on NESN during their annual Jimmy Fund, Jeremy Swayman seemed more optimistic than most about a deal getting done.

“There’s a lot of confidence. And I say that because I’ve treated it like business as usual this year; I’ve been at Warrior (the Bruins Practice Facility) and been working out with our guys, our staff, and our players, and I know that there’s something special building in this locker room this year. I can’t be more excited about that,” Swayman said.

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Swayman has remained in Boston. He has found a sense of community. He understands this is a business, but deep down, things will work out.

“I know that it’ll take care of itself with time. All I can do is control how I’m going to be a better goalie for the Boston Bruins this year,” Swayman continued. “And so that’s all I’m focused on. I know again, it will work out. And I couldn’t be happier to be a Bruin.”

However, Swayman is not the only one inside the organization who believes a deal can be reached. Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs was also on NESN during the Jimmy Fund and noted a deal is getting closer for Swayman to be at camp.

“I try not to comment on player personnel contract negotiations,” Charlie Jacobs said. “We are still negotiating with Sway. I hope that he’s ready to play come training camp. We have some things to work out. I’m sure we’ll get there.”

Swayman took over as the Boston Bruins’ number-one goalie this season, especially in the playoffs against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He had an undefeated record against the Maple Leafs over the past two seasons. So it made sense.

Over the past two seasons, splitting starts, Swayman and Linus Ullmark, who traded to the Ottawa Senators, were the best tandem in the NHL. During those two seasons, Swayman showed he could shoulder the load of being the number one goalie.

The Bruins chose Swayman to be their number-one goalie. While Ullmark won the Vezina Trophy during the 2022-23 season, it was clear Swayman was the future. Last season with the Bruins, he posted a 25-10-8 record with a 2.53 GAA and .916 save percentage in 43 starts. That was coming in a season where he had a 24-6-4 record with a 2.27 GAA and a .920 save percentage.

In the playoffs, Swayman showed that he could get it done. After the craziness of 2023 in Game 7 against the Florida Panthers, it was his net after Game 2 of Round 1. Despite the 6-6 record, Swayman finished with a 2.15 GAA and a .933 save percentage.

These are the types of numbers that could earn him a top dollar on the market. Some people figure Jeremy Swayman could make around the Juuse Saros cap hit of $7.74 million. He could potentially go as high as Connor Hellebuyck‘s cap hit of $.85 million. That is the number of Full Press Hockey that continues here—an eight-year extension at $8.5 million.

All eyes will be on the Bruins’ training camp in about a month. Will Jeremy Swayman be signed, or will he hold out until the new season begins?