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Boston Bruins Sacrifice Contract Length for Cap Hit in Brad Marchand Deal

By Daniel Mcclue

Sep 24, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Team Canada forward Brad Marchand (63) reacts after scoring a goal against Team Russia during the second period of a semifinal game in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Team Canada forward Brad Marchand (63) reacts after scoring a goal against Team Russia during the second period of a semifinal game in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Bruins announced the contract extension of Brad Marchand for 8 years. Sacrificing on length of deal meant a compromise could be made with the salary.

Brad Marchand, Nose Face Killah, Petite Peste, some other more unruly names. Currently showcasing his talents to a larger audience on the World Cup stage, this didn’t stop the Boston Bruins from hammering out a fine deal.

A lot of grief has been aimed towards the B’s management lately – mainly due to draft failings and inability to sign defensemen. Despite this, they now have two of their star players signed for the foreseeable future at a reasonable cost – Patrice Bergeron is under contract until the 2021-22 season.

Marchand is 28 years old and has one year left on his current deal. His new extension will run out when he turns 37; a long contract to give a player who has a history of injury, suspension and whose game relies so heavily on speed. With elite wingers hard to find, an Average Annual Value (AAV) of $6.125 million dollars is a steal – at least for the first few years of the contract.

Mar 8, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) skates with the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) skates with the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The Spoked-Bs are not adverse to giving long-term contracts, Bergeron, David Krejci, David Backes and Tuukka Rask all have contracts running through the 2020-21 season.

Don’t be surprised to see David Pastrnak given a 15-year contract after next season.

Kidding… Kinda.

Only once has Marchand scored more than 30 goals, and he won’t grab a ton of assists either. But he serves as a consistent 5 v 5 and shorthanded goal-scoring threat, while seeing little-to-no power-play time.

Four times finishing in the top 50 for Selke Trophy voting, Marchand has joined Bergeron to form a sensational duo – both offensive and defensive.

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A few contract comparables:

  • Derek Stepan, NYR, 26 years old – 6 year contract, $6.5 million Annual Average Value. Only scored more than 20 goals in a season twice.
  • Henrik Zetterberg, DET, 35 years old – 12 year contract, $6.083 million AAV. The Swede has had one 60 point season since 2011-12.
  • Kyle Okposo, BUF, 28 years old – 7 year contract, $6 million AAV. He has three seasons with more than 20 goals, but only one with more than 25.
  • Milan Lucic, EDM, 28 years old – 7 year contract, $ 6 million AAV. Big, bruising former teammate Lucic has only had one 30 goal season.

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While point production can be expected to drop after he turns 32, Marchand will still offer a lot. Being a notorious nuisance will mean he takes a lot of penalties – he also draws his fair share.

Captain Zdeno Chara’s decline as he reached his late 30’s will give the Bruins their warning. But if Marchand can contribute at least one more 30 goal season, three more 20 goal seasons and continue his defensive prominence it’ll be money well spent.

No pressure, bud.

What do you guys think, is 8 years too long for Marchand? Should the Boston Bruins have dedicated that money to their defense? Let us know in the comments below.

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