Pierre LeBrun Teases Maple Leafs' Top Target Ahead of Free Agency
Photo credit: TSN
NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun gave a bit of a sneak peek into Toronto's game plan for free agency, and it involves the one and only Brad Marchand.
As the Maple Leafs' offseason plans seem to start taking effect, they still have lots of issues to focus on like Matthew Knies' deal, who they might end up trading away and what free agents they are going to target.
They've seen some of their targets snatched up by their respective clubs, as names like Sam Bennett and Brock Nelson re-upped with Florida and Colorado, though the Leafs were able to retain John Tavares.
Toronto's number one target is Brad Marchand...obviously
But as focus shifts towards Tuesday's free agency period, there seems to be one name who gets the most attention when discussing potential names, and that's Brad Marchand.
For NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun, he believes that Toronto is going to target him heavily; so long as he doesn't stay with Florida:
As we wait to see Brad Marchand's decision with Florida, several teams including Boston and Toronto hope to talk to him come Tuesday when the market opens, if he doesn't re-sign with the Cup champs.
The Bruins would certainly be open to bringing him back. But again, perhaps Marchand re-signs in Florida.
The Bruins would certainly be open to bringing him back. But again, perhaps Marchand re-signs in Florida.
It's not surprising to hear LeBrun name Marchand as Toronto's number one target, as over the past several weeks it feels like more and more reports are coming out showing that the interest is seemingly mutual.
With John Tavares re-signing on a very team-friendly deal, the team can afford to spend on Marchand, and while they shouldn't be too hasty to throw a blank check at him, they can certainly field a solid offer, especially if he decides to pass on Florida.
Does Brad Marchand to Toronto make sense?
Given that they wanted a DNA change, absolutely, and while it might seem a bit ridiculous to pay a 37-year old nearly $9-million per season on his next deal, he's such a game-changer in the postseason that it's worth the extra cost.
Plus there's nothing to say that Toronto can't sign Marchand to a one-year deal, have him perform well in the regular season and maybe even bring Toronto a Cup. If he can do that in one season, he's set up nicely for an even bigger payday come 2026's free agency market.
The team envisions playing Marchand on the top line with Matthew Knies and Auston Matthews however he thrived in a more secondary role in Florida on the third line, and Toronto might be better suited to put him in a second or third-line role instead.
Yes, that seems like a lot of money to spend on someone who isn't a top line star anymore, but you're paying for Marchand's 158 career playoff points, as well as his 1,100 career regular season games.
This season, he had 51 points in 71 games, while adding 20 points in 23 playoff games.
It makes all the sense in the world why Toronto wants to target Marchand, and the Panthers are going to be doing everything in their power to keep the player who really elevated their Cup win this season.
But everything comes with a price, and the Maple Leafs might be willing to offer a better one at the end of the day.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 29 | 810 ANSWERS Pierre LeBrun Teases Maple Leafs' Top Target Ahead of Free Agency Do you think Toronto will be able to sign Brad Marchand? | ||
| Yes | 322 | 39.8 % |
| No | 488 | 60.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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