After an impressive regular season that unfortunately culminated in a disappointing playoff performance, the Boston Bruins find themselves grappling with a challenging salary cap situation. However, the team faces an even more significant dilemma if their esteemed captain, Patrice Bergeron, decides to retire.
Amidst these uncertainties, WEEI host Adam Jones proposes a bold strategy: should Bergeron hang up his skates, the Bruins should consider trading Brad Marchand to secure a substantial return in exchange. Jones asserts that without Bergeron leading the charge as their top center, the Bruins' chances of winning the Stanley Cup next season are slim. Moreover, he believes the team lacks the necessary resources to acquire another elite center while maintaining a strong supporting cast. In such a scenario, Jones advocates for capitalizing on Marchand's value by accumulating draft picks, prospects, and other assets to bolster the team's future.
Marchand, who made his debut during the Bruins' 2010-11 Stanley Cup-winning season, has since evolved into one of Boston's premier players, renowned for his tenacity and irritability on the ice. While he may be a thorn in opponents' sides, he is undoubtedly a prized asset that any team would covet. Consequently, speculation arises as to what kind of return the Bruins could expect for the 35-year-old winger.
For the 2023-24 season, Marchand is set to earn a salary of $5,000,000, with a cap hit of $6,125,000. This sum includes $2,000,000 in signing bonuses and $3,000,000 in base salary.
