Patrice Bergeron, a longtime captain for the Bruins, has retired, passing the captaincy to Brad Marchand, who has been with the organization since 2009.
Marchand has been a crucial figure in the team, playing nearly 1,000 games in a Bruins uniform, often serving as an assistant captain alongside Bergeron. The Bruins' management has spoken highly of Marchand, making him the clear choice for captaincy.
However, there's a notable aspect to Marchand's current situation. At 35 years old, he's in the later stages of his current 8-year contract, set to conclude after the 2024-25 season, with a no-trade clause attached. If he doesn't sign an extension, he'll become an unrestricted free agent.
While Bruins fans need not panic about this scenario, negotiations could get interesting. Marchand may want a significant raise, and the evolving salary cap landscape plays a role. Though some players take hometown discounts, the reality is that star players often command substantial contracts. GM Don Sweeney might have to offer an enticing deal to keep Marchand in Boston.
Over the last decade, only a select few elite players have outperformed Marchand in terms of points, including the likes of Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane, Nathan Mackinnon, Alex Ovechkin, and Leon Draisaitl. Marchand's consistency and a career-high 100-point season in 2018-19 indicate that he's not slowing down anytime soon, providing reassurance to Bruins fans about his future with the team.
