Brad Marchand's future in Boston is uncertain as he emerges among the top available free agents in 2025

PUBLICATION

Julien Trekker
October 24, 2024 (1:40 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

The Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand emerged as one of the top available NHL free agents in 2025.

With the 2024-25 NHL season well underway, some people are starting to look at what's to come for the next offseason. While we still have a lot of hockey to watch before next summer, many teams will likely organize their plans depending on which players are set to leave, and who will be available on the market.

Sportsnet recently published a top 12 of the best Unrestricted Free Agents set to be available in 2025. Among those is the Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand.

No one knows what Marchand's future in the NHL will look like. After the season, he will be 37 years old. He underwent three massive surgeries over the last summer and was recently criticized by his head coach Jim Montgomery from the Bruins bench.

His eight-year, $6,125,000 AAV contract is set to end after the season. Back in September, he opened up on his contractual situation, saying he wouldn't give any details to the media:

"I want to say this now and leave it at that. I'll never talk about contract stuff in the media. I saw a report the other day. I don't know where (the reporter) is getting his information, but it wasn't from our side. We're not going to talk about it. Whatever goes on will stay between (general manager Don Sweeney) and our group, and we'll leave it at that. I think there's enough respect between the two sides that we can deal with it."

As for the Bruins general manager Don Sweeney, he couldn't have been more clear when he stated that Marchand will be a lifelong Bruin:

"We're going to get to Brad. He's learning patience as a captain as well. Eventually, he'll extend here."

"He'll be a lifelong Bruin. That's what we should do. But we'll check that box."