Brad Marchand eyeing 3-4 year contract for next deal per insider; issues doubt over future with Panthers - "Going to come down to cold, hard business"

Brad Marchand may not remain in Florida for long. On Monday’s episode of "The Chris Johnston Show" on SDPN, NHL insider Chris Johnston said Marchand is likely looking at a three or four-year contract in free agency.

While the Florida Panthers have not shut the door completely, Johnston doesn’t think they will be the ones to offer it.

"I think he's going to have a lot of bidders that are willing to do that," Johnston said (48:25)."I'm not saying his time, Florida is definitely up."

Florida has younger priorities — like Sam Bennett and longtime core player Aaron Ekblad — so it may not make sense for the team to commit to Marchand long-term.

Johnston also said Marchand still wants to play and is seeking good money. He believes multiple teams would be willing to offer him that.

"I think it's not likely they keep Marchand," Johnston said. " But the door isn't closed. It's not like he doesn't love it there. It's just it really is going to come down to just, unfortunately, cold, hard business.

"I think, you know he's, he's at a stage where he's looking to make pretty good money. 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."

The Panthers picked up Marchand at the trade deadline in March, and has been a key piece in their playoff run. In Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Friday, he scored twice, including the game-winner in double overtime against the Oilers. He has seven goals in the playoffs and three in two games in the final.

Brad Marchand is playing incredibly in the 2025 playoffs

Even at 37, Brad Marchand continues to perform in big moments. His shorthanded goal in Game 2 on Friday made NHL history. It tied him for the most career shorthanded goals in a Stanley Cup Final and came exactly 14 years after his first championship. Marchand also became the second-oldest player to score in each of the first two games of a final, joining Hall of Famer Larry Robinson.

Despite the success in Florida, NHL insider Chris Johnston made it clear: Marchand’s future likely lies elsewhere. The Panthers are not expected to make him a top priority, especially with younger pieces already in place.

If Marchand hits the open market, teams looking for playoff experience and leadership will likely line up. His play this postseason shows he can still be a difference maker. Even if the Panthers move on, Marchand’s hockey journey is far from over.