From EspnBoston.COM
The Boston Bruins and restricted free agent Brad Marchand have reached agreement on a two-year, $5 million deal, sources told ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun.
The 23-year-old gets $2 million this season and $3 million next season. The left winger had been skating with the Bruins at captain's practice even without a new deal in place.
He took to the ice again Wednesday at Ristuccia Area in Wilmington, Mass., but left without talking to reporters. Marchand had a solid rookie season (21 goals, 20 assists) but stepped it up in the playoffs, providing 19 points in 25 playoff games, including two goals and an assist in the Cup-clinching Game 7 victory in Vancouver.
"I am a part of this team and there's no reason for me not to be," Marchand said Monday. "I want to be here and I want to show them I'm in shape and I'm ready to go this year. I'm just waiting to see and get it done here."
We'll that took way longer than it should have.
There was never any doubt in my mind that the Bruins and the charismatic winger would reach an agreement, especially after the one man Ozzfest he had in the weeks following the Stanley Cup victory. I was never worried about a team like Columbus or Nashville swooping in and blowing him away with an outlandish offer. Besides, he was a restricted free agent anyway, so the Bruins had the ability to match or beat any offer.
The only thing I was slightly worried about was if a contender like Philly stepping in and trying to make a statement. Looks like we don't have to worry about that for now.
I was happy to read reports about Marchand at captains' practice before signing his deal, showing just how team oriented he is. It speaks to his character that he didn't hold out during camp or bitch and moan about playing here like Kessel did when he was here.
His ego was clearly not an issue, as he could have very easily held out (and maybe got more money) to go elsewhere. The B's front office did a great job locking him up for relatively cheap money, as thy continue to strengthen their nucleus of talented young players.
This two-year $5 million dollar deal keeps him in Boston where he can hopefully sustain and hopefully improve on his breakout 2010-11 season. He earned a spot on the secpnd line with Bergeron and Recchi and will certainly return to his role as antagonist this season. I truly believe he can be a 30-goal a year type of player, especially if second year winger Tyler Seguin joins him and Bergeron on the new-look second line.
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