Brad Marchand’s future with the Boston Bruins remains uncertain and insiders are starting to report a potential breakup ahead of the trade deadline, with some even floating potential suitors if the Bruins decide to trade their captain.
ESPN’s Kevin Weekes has suggested three possible landing spots if the Bruins move on from the veteran forward just after Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman sounded unsure about Marchand’s short-term future in Boston.
Speaking on TSN with Gino Reda on Friday, Weekes suggested that Boston owes Marchand the right to have the final say on his future ahead of March’s trade deadline.
“Boston should put it in the court of their captain,” Weekes said. “What would be better than to say, ‘Hey listen, Brad. You’ve been our guy, you’ve been one of the faces of this franchise. We’re going to give you the opportunity to make a decision. Would you want to go to another team and have another run this season?’”
In the case Marchand does decide to leave, Weekes believes the Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, and Montreal Canadiens could all be potential fits.
For Toronto, Weekes framed the move as a reversal of fortune given both franchises’ shared past. “They always say, ‘If you can’t beat them, join them,’” Weekes said. “What about a little twist? How about ‘If you can’t join them, let them join you.’”
That’s because the Bruins have been the Maple Leafs’ biggest playoff roadblock for years and Weekes suggested that Marchand joining Toronto “would be awesome for Leafs Nation.”
Weekes noted that the Devils “are going to need some more depth” and that adding Marchand to a roster with Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Dougie Hamilton would make them a dangerous playoff team. “He makes a seamless fit with the Devils,” Weekes opined.
Lastly, Weekes threw a surprising team on the conversation, mentioning the Habs. “Why not the Montreal Canadiens?” Weekes said. “Think of the experience he could also bring to Montreal’s young group.”
He noted that head coach Martin St. Louis has done a good job developing the team’s prospects and that Marchand’s leadership could accelerate that process. “I think he’d be a nice add there too.”
Marchand, 36, is in the final season of an eight-year contract worth $49 total million and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer. He has 19 goals and 21 assists in 53 games this season, making him the prospective best rental forward for playoff contenders if he becomes available for trade.
For the next month and change, the Bruins will try to improve on their current 25-22-6 record and 56 points, good for just fifth place in the Atlantic Division and third in the Eastern Conference’s wild-card race.
