SUNRISE, Fla. – When Florida Panthers president of hockey operations/general manager Bill Zito pulled off the unthinkable by acquiring former Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand in the final minutes of this past March’s trade deadline, he envisioned Marchand as a key piece in another deep playoff run.
Due to injury, it wasn’t until March 28 when Marchand made his Panthers debut, picking up an assist in a 2-1 overtime victory against the newly-named Utah Mammoth.
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Marchand had a postseason to remember – tallying 10 goals and 10 assists in 23 games to help lead the Panthers to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.
It was Marchand’s second Stanley Cup and first since winning it with the Bruins in 2011.
With the NHL’s free agency period opening on July 1, Zito faces a tough decision regarding Marchand: keep the 37-year-old in South Florida or let him pursue a bigger payday elsewhere.
Marchand has expressed his desire to stay in Florida as recently as Friday, while serving fans at a Dairy Queen in Sunrise.
“Give me a contract!” Marchand said with some laughter, when asked by the media what message he had for Zito.
Marchand joins Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Nate Schmidt as key free agents this offseason – with the Panthers aiming to become the first team since the New York Islanders (1980-83) to complete a three-peat.
While nothing is official yet, Bennett – celebrating with the team Thursday night into Friday morning – revealed at E11EVEN, a multi-level nightclub in downtown Miami, “I ain’t f---ing leaving,!” insisting he will remain with the Panthers.
According to PuckPedia, the Panthers are expected to have $19 million in salary cap space to spend this summer, so it will be interesting to see what Zito has up his sleeve.
