Brad Marchand, fresh off winning his second Stanley Cup, has agreed to a six-year contract with the Florida Panthers. The deal will keep the veteran forward in Sunrise through the 2030-31 season. While the contract hasn't been officially signed yet, terms have been agreed upon.
The contract is reportedly worth around $32 million, carrying an average annual value (AAV) of approximately $5.3 million. This is a slight decrease from his previous contract with the Boston Bruins, which had an AAV of $6.125 million.
Marchand, 37, joined the Panthers last season after being traded from Boston prior to the trade deadline. He quickly became an integral part of the team, contributing 23 goals and 51 points in 71 games split between the Bruins and Panthers. His impact was even more pronounced in the playoffs, where he added 10 goals and 20 points in 23 games, helping the Panthers secure their second consecutive Stanley Cup victory. He finished second in Conn Smythe Trophy voting, behind teammate Sam Bennett.
Prior to his arrival in Florida, Marchand spent his entire 16-year NHL career with the Boston Bruins, where he was a fan favorite and served as captain. Drafted 71st overall in 2006, he played 1,100 career games split between the Bruins and Panthers, amassing 424 goals and 980 points. He was a key member of the Bruins' 2011 Stanley Cup-winning team and was a core piece of teams that won three Presidents' Trophies and five division titles, making three Stanley Cup Final appearances. Individually, he was a two-time first-team all-star (2017, 2021) and a two-time second-team all-star (2019, 2020).
Marchand's continued presence in Florida solidifies the Panthers' core, as they have also re-signed Aaron Ekblad and Sam Bennett to long-term deals. General Manager Bill Zito expressed confidence in being able to retain all three key free agents, and he has delivered on that promise. With Marchand locked in for the foreseeable future, the Panthers are positioned to remain a top contender in the NHL.