The Boston Bruins announced Monday morning that they have signed forward Brad Marchand to an eight-year, $49 million contract extension. The deal will kick in after the 2016-17 season and will keep him in Boston until 2024-25.
Brad Marchand Extended by Boston Bruins
Marchand extension is 8 years, $49M
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) September 26, 2016
Marchand has spent his entire seven-year NHL career with the Bruins, totaling 153 goals and 135 assists for 288 points, as well as 434 penalty minutes. The 28-year-old left-winger was selected 71st overall by Boston in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
Sixth in the NHL in goals last season, Marchand scored 37 times and added 24 assists to finish fourth on the Bruins in total points with 63.
The new contract carries a cap hit of $6.125 million per year, a raise on his previous deal’s AAV of $4.5 million. He will be 36 by the time his new contract expires.
Marchand has not yet reported to Bruins training camp, since he is still with Team Canada as they prepare for the final of the World Cup of Hockey, getting underway on Tuesday. He is currently second on the tournament points leaderboard, with three goals and two assists, playing on the top line with teammate Patrice Bergeron and captain Sidney Crosby.
The Bruins will look to return to the playoffs this season, after missing out the past two years. With some of their key players aging, Boston’s window for competitiveness is rapidly closing, if it hasn’t already. As such, Marchand is expected to be a crucial part of the campaign.
Boston opens their season on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 13.
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