Brad Marchand drops bold announcement on his future with Panthers during Stanley Cup celebration

Brad Marchand made a clear statement during the Florida Panthers’ Stanley Cup celebration on Friday. Marchand, who joined the team near the trade deadline after spending 16 years with the Boston Bruins, was confident his future remained in Florida.

“I’m not leaving,” Marchand said in a video posted by the host of the "FLA Cats Hockey Podcast."

The video was filmed at the Elbo Room, a popular beachfront bar in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

It had fans speculating that he plans to stay in Florida for four more years.

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Marchand also had a request for Panthers general manager Bill Zito.

"Give me a contract," Marchand said.

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Marchand made an impact in the 2025 playoffs, recording 20 points (10G, 10A) in 23 games. Most of his goals came at even strength, with just one power-play tally and one short-handed strike.

In the Stanley Cup Final, he scored six goals against the Edmonton Oilers, including two game-winners, to help the Panthers seal the title in six games.

Marchand also played well without the puck, as he finished the playoffs with a plus-17 rating, 33 hits and 48 penalty minutes. His energy and experience also played a crucial role.

Even at 37, Marchand loves playing in high-pressure playoff situations. He showed good chemistry with his new teammates, and winning the title has once again raised his value after his exit from Boston.

Chris Johnston's earlier comments hinting at a potential four-year contract for Brad Marchand

On "The Chris Johnston Show," NHL insider Chris Johnston predicted a four-year contract for Brad Marchand in free agency.

Johnston thinks the Florida Panthers might not offer him a long-term deal. However, he believes several teams will offer Marchand a guaranteed contract for three or four years.

"I think, you know he's, he's at a stage where he's looking to make pretty good money," Johnston said on June 9. "And I think the market is going to have it out there for him, probably on guaranteed contracts that are lasting three years or four years."

Johnston added that the decision will come down to business. Marchand loves Florida but wants a good contract.

About the author

Ankit is an NHL journalist at Sportskeeda with over 3 years of experience in the writing industry. He has expertise in sports, product, and travel content writing. His interest in ice hockey was piqued after watching Sidney Crosby play and he has been passionately following the game since then. Ankit admires Crosby’s personality and hockey IQ, and when he crossed the 1,500 points tally, Ankit was among the biggest fans to celebrate the occasion.

An Edmonton Oilers fan because of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, Ankit also admires the Pittsburgh Penguins due to Crosby and the Colorado Avalanche for Nathan MacKinnon. He is also a fan of Wayne Gretzky and Bobby Orr.

Holding a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Language, Ankit believes his education has helped him develop a knack for presenting information in a precise and compelling manner. He only sources information from credible avenues and trusted people from his network for his articles.

When he is not watching or writing about the NHL, Ankit loves listening to music and reading books.

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Edited by Victor Ramon Galvez