NHL Free Agents: Boston Bruins Forward Brad Marchand Signs New Contract

The Boston Bruins and restricted free-agent forward Brad Marchand have finally agreed on a new two-year contract, according to the team.

The deal is worth $5 million, and will pay Marchand $2 million this season and $3 million next year, according to ESPN.

Marchand became an important part of the Bruins' first Stanley Cup championship in 39 years last season and became a fixture on the second line alongside Patrice Bergeron and the now retired Mark Recchi.

He scored 21 goals and dished out 20 assists in the regular season last year and scored 19 points in 25 playoff games.

His 11 goals in the playoffs were the most ever for a Bruins rookie in franchise history.

Marchand’s new contract was thought to be one of the surest of moves for the Bruins this season, who surely did not want to lose a talented young forward who is one of the more popular players amongst the fans.

However, the fans grew worried when little progress on Marchand’s contract was made throughout the summer months, and the situation became frustrating when training camp for rookies began and Marchand was still unsigned.

His agent, Wade Arnott, was the agent for former Bruins winger Phil Kessel, whose contract negotiations prior to the 2009-10 season resulted in him being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for two first-round picks. Those picks ended up being Tyler Seguin and Dougie Hamilton.

Arnott’s presence in the negotiations made some fans fear another Kessel situation would occur, but it was clear to most that Marchand is happy in Boston and wanted to stay all along.

Marchand will almost certainly remain on the second line with Bergeron, and the two will have a new linemate with the retirement of Mark Recchi. Wingers Rich Peverley and Tyler Seguin are the two most likely candidates to replace Recchi on the second line.

Now that Marchand has signed, the Bruins' next signing could be center David Krejci, 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs points leader who is entering the final year of his current contract.

Krejci is one of the most underrated players in the NHL and, outside of Tim Thomas, arguably the most valuable player on the team.

With Marchand signed, the fans can relax and get ready for another exciting season of Bruins hockey as the team defends the Stanley Cup for the first time since the 1972-73 season.

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 NHL/Bruins news and analysis. Follow @NicholasGoss35.