Brad Marchand is currently in the final year of his eight-year, $49 million contract. There’s no reason to think this deal won’t get done. Marchand is a legend in Boston and has spent his whole NHL career there.
The Bruins must be cautious with the length and term of his next deal, however. Marchand is getting older, and while he is still producing at a high level, he’s not worth the type of salary he was making five years ago.
The rumor that Marchand and the Bruins were close to a deal was false
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported that the Bruins and Marchand were close to a three-year contract extension, until Marchand himself swiftly denied the report. He said he would not discuss anything contract-related to the media.
Friedman is one of the best reporters in the business, so it’s very likely that the two sides are talking and Marchand didn’t want to leak anything. NHL contract negotiations are as well kept secret as any in sports.
Boston needs to pay for the now, not the past
Although the Bruins organization views Marchand as priceless, overpaying for him at this point in his career would be a mistake. He no longer has the potential he did when he scored 100 points back in 2018-2019.
Marchand is still a great player and still deserves to get paid a good salary. He’s the Bruins captain for a reason. He plays their brand of hockey and has since the day he put on the uniform. Marchand seems like the type of player that would take a pay cut if it meant saving the team money to improve elsewhere.
Having Marchand take a pay cut might be the best move for the Bruins. He’s getting up there in age, and the current core won’t be there forever.
Be the first to comment