October 26, 2024 | 10:20pm ET | (Updated: 10:55pm ET)
TheFourthPeriod.com

MARCHAND, BRUINS CLOSE TO NEW EXTENSION? MARCHAND DENIES

Brad Marchand, forward

The Boston Bruins and captain Brad Marchand appear to be inching closer to a multi-year contract extension, according to a report Saturday evening.

Marchand, 36, is in the final year of an eight-year, $49 million contract and is currently eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

However, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Marchand and the Bruins are on the verge of a new deal.

During the “Saturday Headlines” segment on Hockey Night in Canada, Friedman reported a new contract between the Bruins and their captain is near.

“The word is that the Bruins and Marchand are getting closer on an extension, expected to be three years,” Friedman said. “We’ll see what happens in the next little bit.”

Marchand picked up his first goal of the season Saturday night, the overtime winner against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He had five assists on the season now, and has collected six points in his first nine games of the 2024-25 campaign.

UPDATE (10:55pm ET)

Following the game, Marchand met with the media where he was asked about the report. He denied a deal was close.

“I’m not big about talking about contract stuff in the media. But that report from Elliotte is false,” he told reporters, as quoted by masslive.com. “Elliotte is just wrong. That’s about it.”