You vote: Do you approve of Marchand’s new contract with the Bruins?
Marchand/By S. Bradley
The Bruins and Brad Marchand have eliminated a number of worries by agreeing to a new two-year contract.
Boston doesn’t have to worry about starting the season without one of its top-six forwards, and doesn’t have to worry about doing this dance with Marchand’s agent again next summer. In the same light, the Bruins aren’t committed to Marchand until the end of time — unlike some teams and their young players — in case the pesky winger takes a turn for the worse.
Marchand won’t have to worry about getting a new contract next summer or, heaven forbid, deal with being in contract limbo should a lockout hit the NHL when the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires.
Prevailing opinion is that the Bruins got themselves a bargain, especially when you compare Marchand’s deal to similar players like Logan Couture and Teddy Purcell. Based on last season’s numbers, Marchand averaged 2.12 even-strength points per 60 minutes. According to Hockey Prospectus that’s a solid top-six total. In limited playing time, Marchand put up 4.3 power-play points per 60 minutes and he drew one penalty per 60 as well. However, he also took penalties at the same rate.
His Goals Vs. Threshold, another great indicator from Hockey Prospectus is 11.2. Only Tim Thomas and Milan Lucic were significantly better among Bruins players in that department.
So I ask you readers of TheBruinsBlog.net:
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Neely for Pres
It isn’t the locker room I was referring to, it was back home in Halifax. If he wants to remain a Bruin, which I hope he does, he has to realize that there certain expectations that follow. As well, there are too many good forwards coming up to put up with bad antics. I never thought Mike Richards would ever move from the Flyers but it happened, and it can also happen to Brad.
BJS,
The B’s were very fortunate last season with few injuries. Marchand and McQuaid were the best assets to come up from providence last year. Marchand was 9th in rookie scoring and +25. I think there will be room on the B’s for the “more high upside guys” from Providence and prospects, in the next year or two.
Caron should/could crack the B’s lineup this year. I don’t see a ‘rookie rush’ with the team the B’s will put on the ice this upcoming season.
Not a fan of his game. I realize he had a good year last year and was great in the playoffs. I’d just rather have room for some of the more high upside guys coming up in the system in the next couple of years. I’d also rather see some room for Caron. You don’t have to re-sign every player that has a decent year. This team is loaded with young forwards, some of whom can’t be left to rot in Providence.
Just looking at the worst he can possibly do. I this there’s a much, much, much better chance he matches (or slightly dips) from last year in terms of numbers (he will be better defended) and brings his pesky side in a more refined form due to a year of trial and error. I’m really pretty thrilled with the deal because of how Marchand has carried himself without a contract, what he has brought on the ice, the potential for him to become even better, and the low risk/ high reward nature of the contract. Chia is going to have to start trademarking these deals soon! I’m really just trying to suppress my excitement.
Great deal for both sides. Everyone needs to relax with the “locker room” stuff. They had a very obviously tight room last year and he was there all year. Everything I’ve read from other players make him sound just like Pedroia as far as the locker room stuff. Read Brads most recent comments and u can already see maturity. Just because the guy rocked out like he won the hardest championship in sports and he’s 23, doesn’t mean he’s a problem in the locker room or he doesn’t know what it means to be a bruin. I bet he knows better than any of us.
Good deal, for the reasons mentioned above.
Gotta tell ya, I was pretty impressed with Marchy and his attitude and commitment to the organization throughout this whole thing. Saying the right things all summer, showing up early for skates, & being a part of the golf tournament. All sans contract. I really had a different read on the kid, but he proved me wrong. Hope he has a great year.
I’m starting to change my tune on his outlook for next season too. Earlier this summer I stated that I didn’t think he’d equal what he put up last year, but after re-watching some games these past few months, kid’s got good speed with a super release and is responsible in the other two zones as well. As long as he comes in fit, which it looks like he has, I’m starting to think that he’ll be alright.
TON, Too funny!!!
Bruins16, I think you’re right. The men in the B’s locker room will keep him “settled” as a Bruin.
David, I only see upside now that he’s signed and committed to the B’s team and organization.
I see Arnott voted twice.
Give Brad his dues, he did play well last year, especially in the playoffs. He should fire his agent though. Brad plays well in Boston, but he should thank members of his supporting cast to a certain degree. There are a number of teams that if were a member of, he would not be given the room he gets in Boston. As well, Thornton or Bergeron or Chara need to talk to him about the importance of being a Bruin, on and off the ice. The Bruins are one of the proudest organization in sport, Brad needs to remember that.
I mean, his worst-case scenario is a regression to a pest who plays 4th line minutes and on the PK. While that would definitely be overpaying, we did have a player on the 3rd line who made $4 million last year. Plus, the upside is pretty huge. If he has a 5-10 point dropoff, but playing the same style, he will be worth his contract.