Hockey

Rumor mill: An $8M per season contract for Brad Marchand?
Marc-Olivier Cook
Rumor mill: An $8M per season contract for Brad Marchand?
Credit: Getty Images

Even at 37, Brad Marchand is still a (very) good player.

As we're seeing right now, he's one of the most important pieces of the Panthers' roster, because he does so many things on the ice.

It may have taken him some time to adapt to the style of his new club, but Marchand has been playing great hockey since the start of the playoffs. He has 15 points (five goals) in 18 playoff games so far…

His record will be one to watch this summer, however, as the veteran will be as free as a bird as of July 1.

And according to Chris Johnston(The Chris Johnston Show), Marchand could fetch as much as… $8 million per season for his next contract.

I have a feeling that Marchand's goal won't be to sign a short-term contract.

At his age, he's going to want some kind of guarantee… because this is probably the last contract he'll sign between now and the end of his career.

And, whatever the salary, there will be clubs interested in his services because Marchand brings a lot to a club.

He's still capable of giving it on the ice, but we're also talking about a guy with leadership qualities (I know, it sounds weird to say) and he's loved by his teammates in the room all the time.

For a team looking to add a veteran who can still produce and help off the ice… Marchand would be a good candidate.

10 M per season for Bennett: the idea returns

If I told you I was the GM of a club and I'd offer $10 million a season to a guy who averages 45 points a season, you'd think I was crazy.

But then… that's what we've been hearing about Sam Bennett for some time now.

Then again, according to Pierre LeBrun, some teams will be willing to pay him that much per year for his next contract.

And we agree on one thing: it's special.

The salary cap may be going up, but…

Bennett is currently installed as the NHL's leading playoff scorer.

He's scored 12 goals (in 18 games) so far in the playoffs… and his closest pursuer is Leon Draisaitl, who has nine.

That said, we know that Sam Bennett has proven himself.

He's an even better player when it counts (we're seeing him right now in the playoffs, and we caught a glimpse of him at the 4 Nations Confrontation), and it's really this aspect of his game that's impressing at the moment.

Because without him, maybe the Panthers aren't in the final right now.

And without him, the Panthers might not have been able to lift the Stanley Cup last year, in 2024.

We're talking about a special player in important moments… and teams like the style of these players.

To hear Mathieu Darche tell it…

In recent weeks, there's been a lot of talk about Noah Dobson on Long Island.

And understandably so, since at the time, the Islanders still hadn't found their new GM, Mathieu Darche.

Many wondered whether Dobson might be available on the trade market, since the defenseman is one of the best in the National League.

But, to hear Mathieu Darche tell it… maybe you should forget about the idea of him leaving.

The club's GM praised his defenseman, saying he thinks he's special… and wants to find common ground to sign him long-term.

In reality, Mathieu Darche is right.

There aren't a thousand Noah Dobsons in the NHL.

Dobson is offensive, he's good defensively, he throws from the right, he's only 25 years old… To trade a jewel like him would be illogical – unless you're getting a huge return.

Because Dobson also has the potential to become one of the best at his position with his strengths. The Islanders also have the 1st overall pick in the upcoming draft, and we know that Matthew Schaefer's name is popular right now.

A Schaefer – Dobson pairing could do some damage…


Overtime

– I hope so.

– I love the idea!

– Logan O'Connor underwent surgery.

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