NHL Rumors: Brad Marchand and Bruins Closer to Three-Year Contract Extension | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

Marchand is playing in the final season of the eight-year, $49 million deal he signed with the Bruins in 2016. An extension would keep him from hitting unrestricted free agency next summer, and a three-year deal would keep Marchand with the team. 2027-28.

Marchand, the longest-tenured Bruin since Patrice Bergeron’s retirement in July 2023, was named captain ahead of the 2023-2024 season.

He has four assists in seven games thus far as the Bruins have opened the 2024-2025 season at 3-4-1.

Marchand is skating in his 16th NHL campaign, all of which he has played with the Bruins. Last season, he recorded 29 goals and 67 points in 82 games while leading the Bruins to the franchise’s eighth consecutive playoff appearance.

The Bruins’ 2024 playoff run ended last spring with a second-round loss to the eventual champion Florida Panthers.

After signing starting goalie Jeremy Swayman to an eight-year, $66 million deal, Boston is hoping to make a deeper run next spring despite the team’s relatively slow start to the season. Extending Marchand, and therefore avoiding any pressure to trade him at the deadline rather than risk him in free agency, could help achieve that goal.