Brad Marchand is heading into a contract year with the Boston Bruins.
The 28-year old forward is heading into the World Cup this month to play on a line with Sidney Crosby and Patrice Bergeron. A gold medal win there will bring up his overall value. If the Boston Bruins can’t find a way to make it happen, he will be the most coveted forward in free agency next year.
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Bruins president Cam Neely knows that the Bruins need to keep Marchand on the team. Neely has made a priority to sign him before the start of the season.
Marchand has grown up in the Bruins organization. He’s grown from a part-time fourth-line pest to the Bruins top scorer. He’s also emerged as a leader in the organization and was one of the players that pushed hard to help bring David Backes to Boston. He’s the kind of person who wants to play for only one team in his career, and he’d love to be a career member of the Black and Gold.
“This is an incredible organization, and one that we’re all very fortunate to be a part of,” offered Marchand earlier this month. “It would be great to be here my whole career, and you see how rare that is nowadays. It doesn’t happen often, so that would be incredible. But a lot of things have to line up in order for that to happen not only now, but down the road. So, we’ll play it year-by-year.
“I’m really excited about the upcoming season and what is ahead. I think we’ve got a couple of new additions that are really going to help our team.
Marchand had a career season last year, having a 60-plus season. His 37 goals put him in the top ten for scoring last season. Marchand’s team are currently in talks with the Bruins organization, and we’re all hoping that they come to a meeting of the minds.
“Guys are really hungry after missing the playoffs again last year,” said Boston’s Little Ball of Hate. “First and foremost this year is on my end and we’ll deal with the years after that down the road.”
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The Bruins organization must find a way to keep Marchand in the Black and Gold. If the Bruins front office fails to make it happen, it could be the death knell for Neely and Sweeney’s time in Boston.