NHL rumors: Insider delivers blow to Boston Bruins' hopes of potential Brad Marchand reunion in free agency

Brad Marchand has become a key playoff piece for the Florida Panthers. He has scored three goals in the first two Stanley Cup Finals games against the Edmonton Oilers, which means any hopes of a Boston reunion appear slim.

On SportsCenter this past Sunday, ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported that Marchand is expected to test the open market. While Florida remains a strong contender to retain him, the Bruins don’t appear to be in the picture.

"From talking to sources around the league, it is likely that he is going to test the open market," Kaplan said (1:23). "Yes, the Panthers do remain in play, but several other teams do too. A return to the Boston Bruins -- that door remains closed for now."

Brad Marchand, 37, has played a vital role in Florida’s run to the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals. Since arriving at the trade deadline, he has not only recovered from an upper-body injury but also hit his stride in the postseason.

Marchand has put up 17 points in 19 playoff games, including a memorable double-overtime winner in Game 2 of the Final against the Edmonton Oilers, as Florida tied the series 1-1.

Despite contract talks with Bruins GM Don Sweeney, no extension was reached before the trade. Although Marchand didn’t rule out a return at the time, latest reports suggest that the Bruins have moved on.

For now, Brad Marchand remains focused on the Panthers’ Cup pursuit. He told ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski that while he’s thought about his future, he’s not making any decisions until the playoffs end.

"Yeah, I’ve thought about it. But we’ll deal with that in the future," Marchand said (via ESPN's Greg Wyshynski).

The Panthers are projected to have $19 million in cap space, but with other pending UFAs like Aaron Ekblad, Sam Bennett and Tomas Nosek, Florida must be selective with their offers. Marchand’s expiring deal carried a $6.125 million cap hit, and he’s expected to command a similar or higher salary.

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Brad Marchand might prefer Florida due to no tax

One factor working in Florida’s favor is the state’s tax situation. Brad Marchand admitted that no income tax could be a deciding factor for players choosing between teams.

"There are teams where that absolutely matters," Marchand said. "When you’re dealing with guys that have a choice between multiple teams, it absolutely plays a part. If you have two teams that are offering the same contract, you’re going to pick the team with less tax,"

As things stand, Marchand looks likely to test free agency.