Disaster Bruins Offseason Signing May Have Screwed the Team in Brad Marchand Contract Negotiations
Brad Marchand is the heart and soul of the Boston Bruins, but he is equally a pending UFA in a difficult situation based on his age. Elias Lindholm's massive contract will also be an obstacle.
Despite a rumour from the renowned Elliotte Friedman that the Boston Bruins had agreed to a three-year deal with Brad Marchand, no contract has been signed yet.
Now, John Buccigross, one of the best insiders in the NHL, has laid out what that contract will look like.
Marchand's age makes a long-term commitment difficult, as he could 'fall off' at any given time.
Equally, Elias Lindholm's $7.75 million annual deal sets a difficult internal cap situation for the team; Charlie McAvoy, Jeremy Swayman, and David Pastrnak are the young core of the team, and are paid generously ($9.5 million for McAvoy, $8.25 million for Swayman, and $11.25 million for Pastrnak), but among veterans, it is hard to argue that Marchand shouldn't make more than Lindholm:
The Brad Marchand contract extension is interesting. It's a unique "value identification" deal. He's negotiating his 37 (one year deal) to 38 (two year deal) or 39 year old seasons (3 year deal).
Forecasting a drop off is difficult and yet Marchand does not deserve a pay cut in terms of AAV (6.125). Still close to a point per game guy and, in the playoffs (20 points/18 games over last two postseasons).
He gives too much and sets too big of an example as a hyper competitive athlete/leader. He's a Top 5 Captain for setting culture and backing it up with bite and production. The Bruins, naturally, want the number as low as possible to either try to go big game hunting (Rantanen, Marner, Bennett, Ehlers,) or for depth (includes resigning Frederic)..
Players are put in a tough spot and managers are doing their difficult job of roster construction with a hard cap. Marchand, like Mark Recchi (23-38-61 at age 40) should hold his value.
Additionally, he's maintained and grown the Bruins brand to a new generation with his relatability and unique "brand." His dedication and playing under his value all these years without a peep or always team first can't be questioned.
That's not, ideally, how you manage a roster or "award" contracts, I get it. But, this is a VERY unique deal and where the Bruins are with their roster, resigning Marchand is the obvious correct play.
My guess is the Bruins want 2 years max. I would give him 3 years, 6 million AAV. I think that's "the deal." The Bruins probably want 2 years at 4-5 million.
Maybe Marchand is like "how can I make less than Lindholm? He has 18 points. I'm the second best player on the team." And he'd be right.
But this deal gets him close to 100 million in career earnings and then takes it one year at a time if he wants to play until he's 42 like Recchi did.
And if I'm the owner, I want him (with Bergeron) in the future in the organization. Possibly as the next Neely/Sweeney tandem if he's willing and able and wants to raise his family in New England. He's a unique hockey treasure.
Still a very good player who contributes just about every tangible and intangible skill. He should get a 3 year deal. If the Bruins want to create cap space they should create it subtracting other players not named McAvoy or Pastrnak. Or Marchand.
Forecasting a drop off is difficult and yet Marchand does not deserve a pay cut in terms of AAV (6.125). Still close to a point per game guy and, in the playoffs (20 points/18 games over last two postseasons).
He gives too much and sets too big of an example as a hyper competitive athlete/leader. He's a Top 5 Captain for setting culture and backing it up with bite and production. The Bruins, naturally, want the number as low as possible to either try to go big game hunting (Rantanen, Marner, Bennett, Ehlers,) or for depth (includes resigning Frederic)..
Players are put in a tough spot and managers are doing their difficult job of roster construction with a hard cap. Marchand, like Mark Recchi (23-38-61 at age 40) should hold his value.
Additionally, he's maintained and grown the Bruins brand to a new generation with his relatability and unique "brand." His dedication and playing under his value all these years without a peep or always team first can't be questioned.
That's not, ideally, how you manage a roster or "award" contracts, I get it. But, this is a VERY unique deal and where the Bruins are with their roster, resigning Marchand is the obvious correct play.
My guess is the Bruins want 2 years max. I would give him 3 years, 6 million AAV. I think that's "the deal." The Bruins probably want 2 years at 4-5 million.
Maybe Marchand is like "how can I make less than Lindholm? He has 18 points. I'm the second best player on the team." And he'd be right.
But this deal gets him close to 100 million in career earnings and then takes it one year at a time if he wants to play until he's 42 like Recchi did.
And if I'm the owner, I want him (with Bergeron) in the future in the organization. Possibly as the next Neely/Sweeney tandem if he's willing and able and wants to raise his family in New England. He's a unique hockey treasure.
Still a very good player who contributes just about every tangible and intangible skill. He should get a 3 year deal. If the Bruins want to create cap space they should create it subtracting other players not named McAvoy or Pastrnak. Or Marchand.
We will see what's next for Marchand and the Bruins; there's no doubt that he will stay, and even possibly join the front office in the future, but what the number on the books will be in 2025-26 is unknown.
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| POLL | ||
DÉCEMBRE 26 | 166 ANSWERS Disaster Bruins Offseason Signing May Have Screwed the Team in Brad Marchand Contract Negotiations Do you think Elias Lindholm's signing was a mistake? | ||
| Yes | 123 | 74.1 % |
| No | 43 | 25.9 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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YESTERDAY
APRIL 16, 2026
| ||||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Connor McDavid | - | 4 | 4 | |
| Matthew Savoie | 3 | - | 3 | |
| Robert Thomas | 3 | - | 3 | |
| Steven Stamkos | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Macklin Celebrini | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| William Eklund | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Evan Bouchard | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Mikael Granlund | - | 3 | 3 | |
| John Klingberg | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Filip Forsberg | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Colton Dach | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Will Smith | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| John Carlson | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Luke Evangelista | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Dylan Holloway | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Clayton Keller | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Valeri Nichushkin | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Ryan Ufko | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Mackenzie Weegar | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Zach Whitecloud | - | 2 | 2 | |
| COMPLETE STATS | ||||
| 2025-2026 NHL STANDINGS | ||||||
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Sabres | 82 | 50 | 23 | 9 | 109 | |
| Lightning | 82 | 50 | 26 | 6 | 106 | |
| Canadiens | 82 | 48 | 24 | 10 | 106 | |
| Bruins | 82 | 45 | 27 | 10 | 100 | |
| Senators | 82 | 44 | 27 | 11 | 99 | |
| Red Wings | 82 | 41 | 31 | 10 | 92 | |
| Panthers | 82 | 40 | 38 | 4 | 84 | |
| Maple Leafs | 82 | 32 | 36 | 14 | 78 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Hurricanes | 82 | 53 | 22 | 7 | 113 | |
| Penguins | 82 | 41 | 25 | 16 | 98 | |
| Flyers | 82 | 43 | 27 | 12 | 98 | |
| Capitals | 82 | 43 | 30 | 9 | 95 | |
| Blue Jackets | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 92 | |
| Islanders | 82 | 43 | 34 | 5 | 91 | |
| Devils | 82 | 42 | 37 | 3 | 87 | |
| Rangers | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Avalanche | 82 | 55 | 16 | 11 | 121 | |
| Stars | 82 | 50 | 20 | 12 | 112 | |
| Wild | 82 | 46 | 24 | 12 | 104 | |
| Mammoth | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Blues | 82 | 37 | 33 | 12 | 86 | |
| Predators | 82 | 38 | 34 | 10 | 86 | |
| Jets | 82 | 35 | 35 | 12 | 82 | |
| Blackhawks | 82 | 29 | 39 | 14 | 72 | |
| GP | W | L | OL | PTS | ||
| Golden Knights | 82 | 39 | 26 | 17 | 95 | |
| Oilers | 82 | 41 | 30 | 11 | 93 | |
| Ducks | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 | |
| Kings | 82 | 35 | 27 | 20 | 90 | |
| Sharks | 82 | 39 | 35 | 8 | 86 | |
| Kraken | 82 | 34 | 37 | 11 | 79 | |
| Flames | 82 | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 | |
| Canucks | 82 | 25 | 49 | 8 | 58 | |
COMPLETE STANDINGS | ||||||