Boston Bruins Free Agent Rumors: 5 Reasons They Need to Re-Sign Brad Marchand

Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand was one of the most important players to the Bruins' first Stanley Cup championship in 39 years last season, but he is still a restricted free agent as we near the start of training camp.

Marchand, 23, had a breakout season in 2010-11, his first full year of NHL hockey. 

The Bruins and Marchand have begun contract talks, and Marchand has stated before that he loves Boston and would like to stay with the champs.

Let's look at five reasons why the Bruins want to keep Marchand around for the long term.

Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins featured columnist for Bleacher Report, and was the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston. Follow him on Twitter for Bruins & NHL news and analysis.

Marchand Is a Goal Scorer

Brad Marchand became a regular on the Bruins second line alongside Patrice Bergeron and the recently retired Mark Recchi last season, and he responded by being a very reliable offensive player.

Marchand scored 21 goals with 20 assists for 41 points in the regular season, and scored 11 goals in the 2011 NHL playoffs, which was the most ever for a Bruins rookie.

Marchand's speed and wrist shot make him a dangerous threat to score from anywhere on the ice, and his tireless work ethic allows him to win puck battles with stronger players.

Marchand Is Clutch

Brad Marchand was one of the Bruins' most reliable offensive players in their Stanley Cup title run last year, and his 11 goals were the most ever by a Bruins rookie in the postseason.

He scored five goals in the Stanley Cup Finals versus the Vancouver Canucks, including two goals and an assist in Game 7 of the series.

In Games 3-7 of the Cup Finals, he had seven points, and the Bruins won each Finals game he scored in.

Marchand is not afraid of the big stage despite being 23 years old, and those kind of players are the ones you want to keep on your team for a long time.

Marchand Is an Agitator

Brad Marchand is one of those players you love if he's on your team, but you hate if he's not.

He is the type of player who gets under your skin with verbal jabs, and sticks to the back of the leg kind of stuff.

Marchand will go after the opposing team's best players and get them rattled so much that their game is weakened.

In the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals, Marchand's pest-like play really got under the skin of Daniel and Henrik Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks.

Marchand Is a Fan Favorite

Brad Marchand's gritty and clutch play last season made him one of the fan favorites on the Bruins, to the point where he could easily be the most liked player by the fans if the Bruins do well again this season.

Marchand is very passionate on and off the ice, and always plays with the most effort and energy he has to give.

Marchand will sell jerseys and tickets in Boston, so his impact on and off the ice is very important to the team.

Marchand Has Great Potential

Brad Marchand has the ability to be a 30-goal scorer soon in his career, and continuing to play with center Patrice Bergeron on the Bruins' second line will help his cause.

Bergeron and Marchand showed great chemistry last season, but with the retirement of Mark Recchi, they will have a new winger on their line this season.

Marchand also has the potential to get even more assists this season if Tyler Seguin, who is a very good goal scorer, joins the second line.

Marchand's passing is underrated, and could easily improve this season.

In only his first full NHL season, Marchand scored 20 goals and 40 points—that number could go well over 50 this season.