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NHL Analyst Warns Maple Leafs Against Overpaying Panthers' Brad Marchand
NHL Analyst Warns Maple Leafs Against Overpaying Panthers' Brad Marchand originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Brad Marchand's postseason with the Florida Panthers has reignited interest in the veteran winger as he approaches free agency on July 1.
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The 37-year-old pending UFA has been electric since arriving from the Boston Bruins at the trade deadline, producing 20 points in 22 playoff games and helping Florida reach the brink of another Stanley Cup title.
Now, with the Toronto Maple Leafs facing the near-certainty of losing star forward Mitch Marner to free agency and reportedly interested in adding Marchand to make up for that exit, NHL analyst Martin Biron is urging caution.
Speaking on TSN's "First Up" on Monday, Biron said he wouldn't advise the Maple Leafs to go near an $8 million price tag, as some analysts think Marchand will demand from prospective suitors, offering the Leafs his advice to spend that money more wisely by targeting other younger, equally productive free agents come July.
"I wouldn't (pay that much for Marchand). I think eight is a lot," Biron said. "Look, it's Marchand, and he had a 51-point regular season this year. I think the three surgeries and the Boston Bruins' lack of stability affected that. But he's also not an 80-point player."
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Biron built his case to pass on Marchand — at the $8 million-per-season price, at least — around the veteran's lack of production during the regular season. The analyst acknowledged that Marchand can produce in the postseason, but that doesn't justify the price in his eyes.
"He's not a point-per-game guy. Is he more like a 60-to-65-point player? Yeah, I think that's pretty much what you're going to get from him," Biron said. "He does a lot of things when you get to the playoffs, but $8 million is a lot."
An analyst does not think Florida Panthers center Brad Marchand (63) should get the huge contract he is projected to Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Biron floated a target number that better reflects Marchand's market value.
"I had it in my mind somewhere around $5.5 to $6 million," Biron said. "But then he goes out and performs the way he has in the playoffs — so now maybe it's more like $6.5 to $7 million.
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"Still, eight at 37 years old for four years? That's steep."
The Leafs enter the offseason with $25.7 million in cap space, according to PuckPedia. Daily Faceoff projects Marchand to land a two-year, $5.1 million deal in free agency.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
