Bruins Considering Reunion with Brad Marchand

Rumors suggest that Brad Marchand may soon be back with the Bruins.

If the Canadian left winger doesn’t re-sign with the Panthers, the Bruins, who traded for him from Florida earlier this season after more than 15 years together, are expected to reach out to Marchand when free agency begins on Tuesday. This was reported by Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun on Sunday morning.

That said, Marchand may still sign a new deal with the 2025 Stanley Cup champions before entering the open market.

The 37-year-old Marchand started his NHL career in Boston after being drafted 71st overall in the third round of the 2006 draft. He earned four All-Star selections and claimed his first Stanley Cup during his second year in the league, in the 2010-11 season.

Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs might be losing some key offensive players, including right-winger Mitch Marner, in a sign-and-trade deal with the Golden Knights.

If Marchand hits the market, it could be a smart move for a team looking to advance deeper in the playoffs, especially after consistently finishing in the first or second round over the last five years.

Currently, the Panthers are in a tight salary cap situation, particularly after signing Sam Bennett to an eight-year deal worth $64 million on Friday. They might also look to bring back one of their defenders, Aaron Ekblad.

Marchand was traded to Florida late in the season and wrapped up the final year of his eight-year, $49 million contract that he signed with Boston back in 2016.

Last season with the Bruins, he managed to score 47 points (21 goals, 26 assists) over 61 games. With the Panthers, he had four points (two goals, two assists) in 10 regular-season games. On the path to the championship, he recorded 20 points, including 10 goals, over 23 playoff games, contributing significantly to the team’s success.