**Bruins and Swayman at an Impasse Over Contract Dispute**

Negotiations between Jeremy Swayman and the Boston Bruins have hit a major snag. On Monday, Bruins President Cam Neely creatively revealed that the team had made a $64 million offer. However, Swayman's agent, Lewis Gross, quickly dismissed the claim, calling it "fiction" on Instagram. The rift in communication has left the two sides far apart in their talks.

Gross expressed his disappointment publicly, stating, "We are extremely disappointed. This was not fair to Jeremy. We will take a few days to discuss where we go from here." This public back-and-forth indicates that Swayman did not take kindly to Neely's announcement, and it casts doubt on how Gross and Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney will move forward in the negotiations.

Sweeney, emphasizing the need for "continued, consistent communication with his representatives," acknowledged that a significant gap still needs to be bridged. Both parties are acutely aware of the importance of resolving this issue, though the task seems more challenging than ever.

Determining the truth between Neely’s claim and Gross’s rebuttal is a difficult task. Both sides appear to be using hardball tactics to gain leverage in a high-stakes negotiation. Notably, Neely, CEO Charlie Jacobs, and Coach Jim Montgomery have emphasized that the Bruins are a salary cap team and announced Joonas Korpisalo as the starter for Game 1, signaling their preparedness to move forward without Swayman.

Meanwhile, Swayman's absence has allowed Korpisalo and Brandon Bussi to gain valuable practice and game time under the guidance of goalie coach Bob Essensa. Korpisalo, in particular, has made the most of the opportunity, passing two preseason tests. Sweeney noted, "Bob Essensa has worked extensively with all our goaltenders, and he feels comfortable with the work Korpisalo has put in."

As the saga continues, Swayman faces financial implications. If unsigned by mid-October, he will miss his first paycheck, with a second due at the end of the month. Coming off a $3.475 million salary last season, the 25-year-old goalie must weigh the financial and personal impacts of a prolonged holdout.

The Bruins' locker room largely supports Swayman, albeit conditionally. One anonymous player mentioned, "The only time I could even see it getting a little bit weird would be if we didn't start out well and we felt like he could be helping us."

With a December 1st deadline looming, Swayman must sign a contract by then if he wishes to play this season. Tensions are high, but both sides understand that a resolution is crucial. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether Swayman and the Bruins can find common ground and get back on track for the season.