The Florida Panthers acquired Brad Marchand just ahead of the NHL trade deadline hoping he would give them enough of a push to win the Stanley Cup Final in back-to-back years. With Marchand making his case for the Conn Smythe Trophy, he’s poised to cash in soon in NHL free agency.
Chris Johnston of The Athletic believes the bidding war for the Panthers might get “north of $8 million” annually. Not only is an $8-plus million AAV on the table, but Johnston also writes that Marchand will likely receive four-year contract offers.
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- Brad Marchand playoff stats: 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists), 2 power-play points, 3 game-winning goals in 22 games
Just over a month removed from his 37th birthday, Marchand made his debut in 2010 with the Boston Bruins. The 5-foot-9 center has played in nearly 1,300 career games, including the NHL Playoffs. Even before his postseason heroics this year, he was viewed as one of the 10 best players expected to reach free agency.
The projected asking price could push him out of the Panthers’ price range. Florida is prioritizing a lucrative eight-year contract extension with Sam Bennett and there is a desire to re-sign defenseman Aaron Ekblad. As a result, the Panthers are in serious risk of losing Marchand to the open market.
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- Brad Marchand career stats (ESPN): 980 points (556 goals, 424 assists), 84 power-play goals, 82 game-winning goals in 1,100 regular-season games
The question then becomes what Marchand prioritizes in NHL free agency. Already a Stanley Cup champion, he would provide an excellent veteran presence for a young team and he remains a reliable points producer. However, the length of the contract and Marchand’s age make signing with a rebuilding club less likely.
Instead, clubs like the Toronto Maple Leafs ($25.71 million in cap space), Carolina Hurricanes ($28.42 million in cap space) and Los Angeles Kings ($21.71 million in cap space) could emerge as potential suitors.
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