Where Brad Marchand Stands As Bruins Near Pivotal NHL Trade Deadline

Brad Marchand has always been a Boston Bruin, and he hopes that never changes — even with a potentially franchise-altering NHL trade deadline fast approaching.

The Bruins captain would be the perfect pickup for a team looking to add top-six scoring depth, all-around play and veteran leadership with no shortage of postseason experience. Not to mention, Marchand would be a rental, as he’s in the final year of his contract.

Marchand said Monday, one day after general manager Don Sweeney acknowledged some tough decisions might be on the horizon, his preference to spend his entire career in Boston remains unchanged.

“I’ve always planned on playing here my entire career. That hasn’t changed,” Marchand told reporters Monday after practice. “They’re aware of that. I think everyone’s aware of that. It’s a gift to be playing for this team and I take a tremendous amount of pride in that. It’s always been the goal.”

Sweeney will be busy working the phones in the days leading up to March 7, and he’ll no doubt have Marchand and his camp on speed dial. The GM admitted Sunday the two sides have discussed a contract extension and will keep talking.

What isn’t clear at this point is whether the trade deadline is also a hard stop on talks. It’s not uncommon for teams and players to strike new deals at the deadline (the Bruins did it with Jake DeBrusk in 2022), with the nature of those talks often dictating the ultimate path the team (and in some cases, the player) decides to take.

As to which direction either side might be leaning, Sweeney and Marchand are keeping the cards understandably close to their respective vests for now.

“We’re obviously in talks. I feel like I understand where I’m at personally, but again, that’s going to stay between us,” Marchand said.

In the meantime, Marchand and his teammates are holding out hope they can force Sweeney’s hand.

The Bruins are still very much in the thick of the playoff race. Only four points separate a gaggle of five teams in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Detroit and Ottawa currently hold the two wild-card spots, but Columbus, the Bruins and the Rangers remain in striking distance.

“I think the team has a very good understanding of what the team is, what they’re going to do,” Marchand added. “We’re very close to being in a playoff spot. A lot of teams have caught up in the standings, but we’re right there.”

Marchand, who also confirmed he has limited no-trade protection, insisted the trade deadline is an awkward time regardless of whether the team is buying or selling. However, the Bruins haven’t often found themselves in this position very often over the decade and a half Marchand has worn the Spoked-B.