Things take an ugly turn in Brad Marchand’s contract negotiations with Bruins

Over the weekend, Brad Marchand rejected a report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman that he is nearing an extension with the Boston Bruins. Friedman’s report suggested the two sides were working on a three-year deal, but Marchand called it “false.”

“I’m not big about talking about contract stuff in the media, but that report from Elliotte is false. Elliotte is just wrong. That’s about it.”

Marchand however added in his response to the “fake” report that IF he was signing a three-year deal, it would’ve happened by now.

It got a lot of pundits and reporters thinking that both sides are not able to agree on the term of the contract extension, though Boston Hockey Now’s Andrew Fantucchio still believes talks are ongoing.

Once his report was denied by Marchand, Friedman said there might be a difference between what Marchand’s camp and the Bruins want for the length of the contract.

As we know, Boston is not always kind to its own players throughout contract discussions. The Bruins are just coming out of a contract stalemate with goalie Jeremy Swayman, and it was recently brought up that perhaps the team is in no rush to tackle negotiations with its captain.

Marchand is playing out the final year of an eight-year deal worth a very team friendly $6.125 million per year, and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in July.

He has one goal and six points through nine games so far this season, and has become the face of the franchise since Patrice Bergeron’s retirement. He guided the Bruins to their first Stanley Cup championship in 39 years during the 2011 campaign, recording 11 goals and 19 points during the playoff run.

In total in Boston, Marchand has registration 402 goals and 935 points in 1,038 career games since he was selected 71st overall in 2006.