It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’re in the middle of the Four Nations Faceoff break. However, the rumour mill is still churning. There’s usually a lull when international breaks happen. However, we saw a flurry activity before the tournament and we could see more when NHL play resumes.
General managers have tough decisions to make on whether to sell off assets or to go all-in. One team that’s on the border of missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs is the Boston Bruins. This edition of NHL rumours deals with how a longtime Bruins forward could be in play at the March 7 trade deadline.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Boston Bruins Captain is the Subject of Trade Rumours
Rumour: A number of media outlets have speculated on the future of Bruins captain Brad Marchand at the deadline. The veteran forward is in the final year of his contract with Boston.
Analysis: Could the unthinkable actually happen in Boston? Marchand has been with the Bruins for his entire 16-year NHL career. However, the B’s are on the outside looking in when it comes to the post-season picture. There’s still plenty of time, but the Bruins had designs on making another playoff push instead of fighting for their lives.
Marchand appears in the 10th spot on The Athletic’s latest Big Trade Board. After a slow start, Marchand has bounced back and is on pace for a 28-goal season according to Johnston. However, it would not just be his offence that teams would like. Marchand can help kill penalties and be a pest if needed.
There’s no doubt that there’s a market for Marchand if Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney wants to go down that road. However, going with the nuclear option is something Boston fans may not want to think about.
What It Means
NHL.com’s Amalie Benjamin talked to Marchand about what may happen at the deadline. The Boston captain has a good relationship with management. However, he understands that the Bruins’ brass are well within their rights to trade him.
We also saw speculation from Conor Ryan of Boston.com regarding Marchand. It seems that Marchand is far from being done despite being 36 years old. This is despite playing nearly 1,100 games with the club.
Marchand may want to prove that he can still go at a level high level and that could make him attractive to any potential suitors. His offensive numbers are rallying after multiple off-season surgeries, but he’s great on the defensive end as well.
Boston’s management group may be at a crossroads. Does the team push all of its chips in the middle for one last run? Or does Sweeney push the reset button and start the retooling?
Marchand likely fetches a hefty return and he’s got a $6.125 million cap hit. That could scare some teams off, but teams could get creative in fitting in his cap hit. Marchand wants to stay in all likelihood, but Boston fans might feel some tense moments heading up to the deadline.
Main photo by: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
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