After scoring a goal in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals, Brad Marchand became the first NHL player to score three goals in consecutive finals games. Now with Game 5 done and dusted, he stands shoulder-to-shoulder with none other than Mario Lemieux as the only two players to score five goals in multiple Stanley Cup Final series. At 37, he seems to be only getting better with age. And with him nearing free agency, trade rumors are also making the rounds. But amid all this, he remains loyal to the team that gave him a fresh start, at least for now.

Brad Marchand appeared on NHL on TNT after the Game 5 win over the Oilers. When one of the panelists asked him, “Incredible game and watching you play right now—I don’t know the secret, but is this the best you’ve felt in a while on the ice?” What he replied was nothing short of amazing. Marchand replied, “Yeah, I definitely think it’s the loosest I’ve felt, you know. I think I had a lot in my head early on, and right now I’m just enjoying every moment.”

He also added, “I’ve said that a bunch, but it’s such a special group of guys, and I’m having so much fun here right now. I honestly feel like a young guy in the league again. Just excited.” Marchand has already scored ten goals and assisted another ten in 22 playoff games for the Panthers. In fact, six of those goals have come in the finals series against the Edmonton Oilers. But then again, this should hardly come as a surprise. 

Brad Marchand has been in a Stanley Cup Final before. He won it in 2011. Yet he has never felt the way he is feeling now. “I honestly feel less stressed now going into this Final than I did in the first round of the last five playoffs I was in,” the veteran said in his conversation with NHL.com before the series began. “I’m just so excited for it. I’m not nervous about it at all.” With that, he also added that the series could “statistically” be his last one. But who knows? Maybe his rumored suitors will have to say something about that.

Brad Marchand encircled by huge trade rumors 

Rumors are that the Toronto Maple Leafs could throw their hat in the ring for Brad Marchand’s signature. And despite being known as one of the worst enemies of the Canadian side, it is unlikely that the veteran would have too many complaints with the move. “They were my favorite team growing up,” Marchand said ahead of the Bruins’ first-round series against the Leafs last year. But his long-term admiration for the Leafs would hardly be his only motivation should the deal go through.

What’s more? If The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun is to be believed, Marchand could fetch a three to four-year-long contract worth more than $8 million. And with Mitch Marner calling it a day on his Leafs career, chances are that the team would be quite desperate to get a veteran like Marchand, who brings with him some serious playoff punch. After all, they haven’t lifted a Stanley Cup in over half a century.

But at the same time, the door isn’t closed on the 37-year-old veteran returning to Florida. Especially after a highly successful playoff campaign this year. However, the offseason is full of uncertainty, and the Panthers have two heavyweights in Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad nearing free agency. Where do you think Marchand will end up? Or where do you want him to see next year? Let us know in the comments.