Maple Leafs Hold Key Advantage Over Panthers in Brad Marchand Chase

The Leafs have one major key factor in the hunt for Brad Marchand that could help tip the scales in his favor and it comes down to what they can offer that some of their rivals can't.

The Leafs have over $25M in available cap space for next season according to PuckPedia, compared to $19M for the Panthers.

Toronto also may have an advantage in how they spend their remaining cap space as reports suggest the Leafs are looking at a potential discount for pending UFA John Tavares, which could still leave the team with more than enough cap space for Marchand.

Marchand would fill the hole left by Mitch Marner, who is currently a free agent and headed to free agency on July 1st, earlier today confirmed by Leafs GM Brad Treliving.

Marchand would be able to slot in for Marner in the top-six and would provide much needed physical intensity that Leafs fans and analysts have complained the team has lacked in recent years, and their opponents have exploited in past playoff defeats.

One team that exploited Toronto's weakness in now playing tough is Marchand's current team, the Florida Panthers. Marchand played a major role in physically overwhelming the Leafs and being an agitator.

As far back as his time with the Boston Bruins, Marchand has been a thorn in the side of the Leafs and has gained a reputation across the league as a pest.

There is a bit of hesitancy in how much to sign Marchand as this season the 37-year-old had 51 points in 71 games, his lowest total since the 2014-15 season.

At the right price, Marchand fits a clear need for a high effort player who can agitate opponents, but may be wary of overpaying, although some teams needing a win-now offseason like Toronto may feel forced to bite the bullet.

AFP Analytics projects Brad Marchand to net a two-year contract at $5.1M annually, although he could make a little more in actual.

Florida has other free agents in Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad to worry about, both Expected to raise a hefty rise and the Panthers having interest in retaining both.

Toronto has their own free agents to worry about. Even with Marner looking like an unlikely reunion, the Leafs also have John Tavares and Matthew Knies to worry about, the latter easier to sign as an RFA.

With Marner likely out and Tavares expected to reduce his salary largely, the pathway to signing a player at a higher price like Marchand seems a lot easier to see happen for Toronto.

Whether it's Brad Marchand or not, Toronto has the chance to use its money wisely and net a top player whether in free agency and elsewhere to get the team a much-needed winning culture mentality in the dressing room and on the ice.