Brad Marchand reacts to ongoing rumours of playing in Canada next season

Brad Marchand is currently playing in the Stanley Cup Final, but the offseason is just around the corner and for the Florida Panthers veteran forward, it means free agency. The Boston Bruins traded their captain to the Panthers at the March 7 deadline, and with his deal coming to an end, Marchand knows many options are available to him once the season is over.
Ahead of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final won in overtime by the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday evening, Marchand sat down with Elliotte Friedman and spoke about pending free agency and his thoughts on his NHL future.

“I’ve thought about potential situations. But until you know what [the] options are, it’s all theoretical,” Marchand explained. “So, I’ve kind of parked all that. And I’m just — especially right now — just being in the moment and enjoying it. I don’t want to take anything away from it. Just having fun. After playoffs, you’re looking at it, and it’s going to come fast. But there will be a time and place for that.”

While he is currently focused on the playoffs and potentially hoisting the second Stanley Cup of his career, Marchand is well-aware of the rumours and the ones that are seeing play in Canada, perhaps for the Toronto Maple Leafs next season.

“Anything’s on the table,” Marchand told Friedman. “I’m going to listen to anything. We’ll deal with it when the time comes, and we’ll see what the right fit is.”

Speculation have also linked Marchand back to the Bruins, who will have approximately $25 millions in cap space. It is believe that Marchand could command a $8M annual salary and might get it with many suitors looking to sign him as a free agent.

But for now, Marchand is a Panther, hungry for a Stanley Cup.