Maple Leafs Reportedly Ready to Make a Bold Move No Other Team Will for Brad Marchand

With free agency set to kick off in 10 days, there's not too much time for teams to figure things out before the frenzy begins and the signings become a rapid-fire flurry of transactions that will no doubt change the landscape of the league going forward.

Big names like Mitch Marner and Sam Bennett are available on the market and while there are some questions about where they are going to sign, they are still going to to put pen to paper and make bank.

One player expected to earn a lot this upcoming summer is Brad Marchand, and with rumors that his price could exceed $8-million or higher, there are only a few teams who would be willing to pay that price; especially for a 36 year old.

But this is one of the best playoff performers and game-changers of the modern era, and fresh off an impressive Stanley Cup run where he captured his second career Cup, he's certainly earned the pay raise.

Which is why he's going to be targeted heavily this summer, but no one seems to be in the thick of it more than the Toronto Maple Leafs, and for analyst Nick Kypreos, he believes the team is best suited to sign their long-time nemesis:

Besides that four-year deal which will no doubt give Marchand his largest contract ever, but the team can simply throw a ton of endorsements and incentives at him to help him earn even more.

Jersey sales, commercials, charity events, fan interactions; Marchand will be front and center of it all, with fans relieved and excited to have him around.

As much as Leafs fans hated him for years, there's a level of respect he's earned and the once grouchy faithful have started to come around on Marchand.

It also gives him one of the most sought-after goals in all of professional sports; ending the Maple Leafs Cup drought. It's going to be the 59th year the team hasn't won the big one, and giving Marchand the keys to drive them to the Finals is a great personal accomplishment.

Plus, he would be an instant hero in Toronto, beloved by the city and its fans, and upon retirement will have a job in hockey media the second he hangs up his skates; and he'd be a voice people are excited to hear.

The Maple Leafs can offer it all. Money, endorsements, and a future after hockey.

For a man who's already done it all, why not do something crazy to cap things off?