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Brad Marchand could join the Toronto Maple Leafs if the team can meet his financial demands.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are the only team that can satisfy Brad Marchand’s contractual demands this offseason.
In a June 20 appearance on The Leafs Nation, NHL insider Nick Kypreos made a bold claim, declaring that Brad Marchand had been largely underpaid during his time with the Boston Bruins. As such, Marchand could be eager to make up for lost earnings by taking a hefty payday from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Kypreos stated:
“He’s the first one to say I was underpaid in Boston, and I’m going to go out there, and I’m going to make it up right now.”
The comments signal that Brad Marchand will be looking to get paid. While there are other clubs with plenty of cap space, few are contenders.
That’s why the Toronto Maple Leafs make the most sense, according to Kypreos. He added:
“And there is no team on the planet right now that can satisfy the lost income he had probably on the last three or four years of his Boston Bruins deal, better than the Toronto Maple Leafs.”
Kypreos dropped the mic by declaring:
“So, I don’t know how he doesn’t end up a Maple Leaf. Let me put it to you that way.”
Projecting Brad Marchand’s Potential Deal with Toronto Maple Leafs
The Athletic’s Offseason Free-Agent Board projects Brad Marchand’s next deal as a two-year contract carrying a $5 million AAV.
That figure was written before Marchand and the Florida Panthers won a second-straight Stanley Cup. That figure is likely going to be higher at this point. That situation means that if Marchand wants to get paid, as Kypreos declared, the AAV could be much higher.
Since the market is operating under the assumption that Mitch Marner is as good as gone from Toronto, the Leafs could up the ante.
Perhaps a three or even four-year deal north of $6 or $7 million could make sense. Marchand is coming off an eight-year deal worth $6.125 million AAV. So, it would seem that $7 million could be the starting point.
It wouldn’t be a stretch to see Marchand land a deal north of $8 million.
Brad Marchand not Expected to Come at a Discount for Toronto Maple Leafs
The Athletic added this interesting tidbit in its profile for Brad Marchand:
“Of particular note with Marchand is that he hasn’t earned as much as peers of his quality throughout his NHL career, so he’s not expected to come at a discount.”
Interestingly, that statement aligns with Kypreos’ analysis. Marchand will want to get big bucks and will not likely offer any discounts at this point. His performance in the postseason proved his value.
That condition means the Toronto Maple Leafs will have to pay Marchand what he wants. Otherwise, Marchand could take his act to whoever is willing to pony up.
Marchand doesn’t have many options with contending teams at the moment. Most serious Stanley Cup contenders are hard-pressed against the cap. But if Marchand doesn’t have his heart set on signing with a contender, he could get a big paycheck from a rebuilding club.
All of that means the Leafs will have to pay up. If they don’t, the most notorious Maple Leafs kills could slip through their fingers this summer.
Nestor Quixtan Seasoned NHL analyst focused on covering all 32 teams with news, analysis, and insights. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Nestor’s singular experiences and background have enabled him to bring a different take on the sports world as a whole. More about Nestor Quixtan
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