Brad Marchand Reportedly Expected to Get 4-Year, $32M Contract After Stanley Cup Win

Brad Marchand could be set to earn a raise and a long-term deal just months after his expiring contract was dumped by the Boston Bruins.

The Athletic's Chris Johnston reported on Friday that Marchand is expected to sign something in the range of a four-year, $32 million deal ($8 million AAV) in free agency.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman meanwhile said at the 20:45 mark of Friday's 32 Thoughts podcast that he previously predicted Marchand would sign a three-year, $24 million deal, but has heard that term or salary could now increase.

Both Johnston and Friedman's reports come days after Marchand played a key role in helping the Florida Panthers win a second consecutive Stanley Cup.

Marchand was in his 16th season with the Bruins, and his second campaign as team captain, when Boston traded him at the deadline in exchange for a conditional second-round pick.

Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said at the time there was "a term gap" between the team and Marchand when negotiating a potential extension of his previous eight-year, $49 million ($6.125 million AAV) contract.

That trade proved to be worth it for the Panthers as Marchand went on to score 10 playoff goals, including the overtime winner in Game 3 of the second round that turned around Florida's series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The 37-year-old finished the playoffs ranked behind only Sam Reinhart and Conn Smythe winner Sam Bennett for the team postseason scoring lead.

Bennett credited Marchand after the Cup-clinching Game 6 victory over the Edmonton Oilers for helping provide "leadership" during his brief tenure in Florida.

Marchand told reporters on Friday that he wanted Panthers general manager Bill Zito to give him a new contract to stay in Sunrise.

Given that the Panthers still need to negotiate with Bennett, however, Marchand's strong postseason could potentially price him out of a return to the defending champions.