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The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly set to make a major splash in free agency this summer by signing one of the top players available.
With Mitch Marner expected to leave and John Tavares also possibly departing, NHL analyst and Spittin’ Chiclets podcast host Paul Bissonnette claimed that Toronto is poised to sign Brad Marchand to a significant contract — four years at $9 million annually, totaling $36 million.
“I got a message from a very reliable source. I’ve heard it’s already agreed upon — 4 years, $9 million per season for Marchand,” Bissonnette said on the podcast. “That would be unreal. It would completely change the team’s culture. If they lose Tavares, it wouldn’t hurt as much, especially since we already knew Marner was leaving.”
After the podcast aired, Bissonnette doubled down by sharing messages from his source, asserting that the deal is effectively done.
Marchand recently won the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers and is now set to hit free agency. He’s coming off an eight-year, $49 million deal — a contract many considered a bargain — and is expected to seek a big payday.
This past season, Marchand tallied 23 goals and 28 assists for 51 points in 71 games split between the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers. In the playoffs, he added 10 goals and 10 assists for 20 points in 23 games.
Nick Kypreos, another NHL insider with Sportsnet, also reported that Marchand is expected to sign with the Maple Leafs on July 1.
“He’s made it clear he was underpaid in Boston and wants to make up for it now,” Kypreos said. “There’s no better team positioned to help him recover that lost income than the Maple Leafs. I don’t see how he doesn’t sign with Toronto.”
Marchand added fuel to the speculation by playfully commenting on Instagram, teasing Leafs fans with: “(Expletive) dawg… the people wanna see it?”
The veteran winger is a two-time Stanley Cup champion.
Interestingly, despite being a longtime rival of the Maple Leafs, Marchand admitted after eliminating Toronto in the playoffs that he grew up cheering for them.
“I was a Leafs fan growing up, and I love playing against them,” Marchand said after the series. “The fan interactions are great. I like having fun with it — if people chirp me, I chirp back. I enjoy the atmosphere. Getting booed in Toronto? I welcome it.”
Over his career, Marchand has tormented the Leafs, with 58 points (21 goals, 37 assists) in 59 regular-season games and another 37 points (13 goals, 24 assists) in 35 playoff matchups against Toronto.
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