Brad Marchand fuels speculation on potential return to Bruins in NHL free agency | Sporting News

Brad Marchand has been a Florida Panther for less than a week following one of the biggest surprise deals of the NHL trade deadline , but talks of the soon-to-be-37-year-old returning to the Bruins have already started with his new team in Boston on Tuesday.

Marchand was asked about a potential return, and his answer should excite every Bostonian and Bruins fan all over the map.

I dont know, I guess is how I would respond, Marchand told reporters in Boston after Tuesday's morning skate, per NBC Sports Boston .

I dont know what the future brings in terms of how it plays out in the summertime.

I know it didnt come together now.

Can things change down the road? Potentially, but thats to be seen.

Im sure well have a conversation down the road, but I dont know where that goes.

Ill say I would still love ...

like, it doesnt change my love for the city, and the will to want to be here has never changed.

I dont think it will ever change.

Marchand and the Bruins were far apart on negotiations but as WEEIs Scott McLaughlin reported, nowhere near as far as was being reported.

There had been a report on Friday that the Bruins had offered Marchand $3 million per year.

That didnt sound right, to be completely honest, and sure enough, sources indicated to WEEI.com that it was not right, McLaughlin wrote.

ESPNs Emily Kaplan reported during Saturdays Bruins-Lightning game that while term (how many years the contract would be for) was an initial sticking point, Sweeney and the Bruins, with the approval of team ownership, did eventually offer a three-year contract at some point in February, and that Marchand would have been OK with a three-year deal.

That has since been confirmed by other reports.

Sportsnets Elliotte Friedman then reported on Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday that the Bruins had not asked Marchand to take a pay cut, presumably meaning they were willing to offer him at least $6.125 million per year, which is his currently salary.

As I alluded to on WEEIs Sunday Skate, sources indicated that was much closer to the reality of the Bruins offer than the initial $3 million figure.

Marchand couldve given the tried and true Im just focusing on the present trope, but given his injury, he cant just give player-speak.

Not to Boston.

Not when a few months apart could prove to be exactly what both sides needed to bridge whatever financial gap existed..

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