If the Bruins sign Tyler Bertuzzi, Will Brad Marchand Be Moved?
PUBLICATION
Dylan Robillard
June 19, 2023 (7:26 PM)
Signing Bertuzzi may mean losing Brad Marchand.
This off-season it would appear changes to the Bruins roster are almost certain. «We're not going to be the same team,» Don Sweeney Bruins General Manager told the media during the end of season press conference. «I couldn't just categorically sign (Bertuzzi, Hathaway, Orlov) today.»
The Boston Bruins are still actively trying to sign Tyler Bertuzzi despite him saying he would like to test free agency.
Now, if both David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron are not returning next season. It may mean that Brad Marchand will be moved.
Marchand at 35 years old carries a relatively team friendly cap hit of $6.1 million and has term beyond this upcoming season, through 2025. Comparing that to teammate 31 year old Taylor Hall and his $6 million dollar deal which is set to expire in the same year as Marchand. Tons of teams would love to have Marchand about of their team, adding scoring and toughness. But with his contract it may be hard to move him.
Teams that could land Marchand
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The Colorado Avalanche may be an interesting spot for «The Rat» to land as they will be without their captain Gabriel Landeskog for the 2023-24 season. Opening up a good $7 million in extra cap space due to LTIR. «It potentially opens up avenues that weren't available to us this past season,» Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland said.
Now it's definitely a reach for the Avalanche to trade for Brad Marchand, especially with young players of their own to lockdown this summer like Bowen Byrum and Alex Newhook. Plus more established players like J.T. Compher and Evan Rodrigues also stand to get pay raises, and the uncertainty of Val Nichushkin's situation leaves a lot of questions.
However a move could be possible if the Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon put in a good word for Marchand. Both of them are from Nova Scotia, and Marchand could play very well with MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen.
Due to cap issues and less money in the tank this summer, the Bruins could be a completely different team come fall of 2023.
