BOSTON -- The Boston Bruins are pulling out all the stops in trying to make sure forward Reilly Smith and defenseman Torey Krug agree to shorter contracts and report to training camp.

Both entry-level free agents remain unsigned and missed the first official day of training camp, which consisted of off-ice testing and physicals. At this point, they're expected to miss Friday's first on-ice session, too.

Earlier Thursday, Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli would not comment on negotiations, saying only that he hopes it gets done sooner rather than later.

After the team's annual "State of the Bruins" meeting, owner Jeremy Jacobs, principal Charlie Jacobs and president Cam Neely weighed in on the situation.

The Bruins have spent to the salary cap and are trying to figure out ways to sign both players. Charlie Jacobs said the last thing the organization wants is an ugly showdown where no one wins.

"Listen, that only leads to discord," he said. "In particular, you talk about arbitration and that stuff tends to go south between relationships with the players and that's not where we aim to be. We really want to be a collaborative partner and we are with our player personnel.

"When it comes to the two players we're talking about -- Reilly and Torey -- their situation is they're two-year pros ... and they're in a unique situation. They're not coming out of an entry-level deal with three years' experience, they're really coming out with really less than two. Peter addressed it best, saying circumstances are what they are and I expect that they will be here in time."

He added: "I really think this will remedy itself. I'm not too concerned about it. I may feel differently in November, but at the moment I feel the circumstances dictate that they're going to have to come maybe on a one- or two-year deal to bridge into their next, perhaps larger deal."

Neely is obviously in a unique position, having been a player at one time but who now sits on the other side of the table.

"I hate to see young guys, I was a young player once and I had a contract dispute one time and I didn't get to camp on time and I know it takes awhile to catch up," Neely said. "Especially nowadays with the shape these guys are in. I know they're in great shape going into camp, but we talk about practicing with a purpose and getting into some exhibition games is a little different than off-ice training and skating on your own.

"I just hope we get something done real quick. Obviously, those guys had great years for us last year and they're a big part of our organization moving forward. I'd like to see something get done sooner rather than later."

Jeremy Jacobs made it clear he has given Chiarelli ownership's full support in this unique situation.

"I think Peter is absolutely doing the right thing. I'm very confident," Jacobs said. "We've got a cap and he has to accommodate these players. Signing [David] Krejci was the right idea. [Chiarelli] moved in the right direction. We spent to the cap and we can't accommodate everybody at this point, not at the level they want to be compensated."

Jacobs pointed to Krejci, Patrice Bergeron and other veteran players who had to produce for a longer period of time before the organization rewarded them with long-term contracts.

"There are times when you get paid very well, and there's time that you don't. That's the way the system is built and it's functioning and doing well. We've never had more money to spend than we have right now and we've spent every cent we have. We told you early on we were going to spend to the cap and we've done it and we'll continue to. It isn't like these people are necessarily underpaid that they can't live on it. They do very well and they just want to do better, and I don't blame them. I can't think there's a person in this room that doesn't want to do better, but their time will come. And if they're great players going forward they will be compensated when they get older in that way, or as they mature into this business."