The Boston Bruins have had an interesting summer so far. After negotiating all season with Loui Eriksson, the forward eventually signed a huge deal with the Vancouver Canucks. The team tried to replace his production by bringing in former St. Louis Blues captain David Backes on a long-term deal, securing their center position for the immediate future.
It’s the wing that now needs attention, as the team has started negotiations with all-star winger Brad Marchand on a contract extension, according to D.J. Bean of WEEI. Marchand, 28, has one year remaining on his current deal, after which he would become an unrestricted free agent. After scoring 37 goals this past season, the diminutive winger (who doesn’t play like it) will be in for a huge raise.
In the six seasons that he has been a regular in the Bruins’ lineup, Marchand has eclipsed 20 goals all but once – the lockout shortened 2012-13 season, in which he scored 18 in 45 games. After breaking out even further last season, the former third-round pick will probably be looking for a contract larger than that of Eriksson, who brought in a total of $36MM over six seasons. If he can put up another 30-plus goal season, he’ll probably command the maximum seven years, at somewhere between $6-7MM per – that is, unless the team can get him under contract before he hits the open market.