Brad Marchand wasn’t ready to become part of a deadline transfer when the Boston Bruins sent him to the Panthers’ camp. While he didn’t say anything then, the 2025 Stanley Cup champion dropped the hint on Friday. “Those are the things at the time that you don’t always look at and want to happen,” he said during an interview. However, the NHL veteran made the best of the situation.

While it was a happy coincidence that the 37-year-old perfectly fit the Florida Panthers’ playing style, no one expected the former Bruin to play such a pivotal role for the Cats. Marchand became the difference-maker time and again during the playoffs, helping clinch crucial games on the way to a second Stanley Cup title for the Cats. Yet, despite his contribution, the former Bruin still needs to land a contract. Surprisingly, the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested.

During his appearance on Leafs Morning Take on Friday, analyst Nick Kypreos confidently proclaimed Brad Marchand’s future. “I don’t know how he doesn’t end up a Maple Leaf; let me put it to you that way,” Kypreos said during the show. The former Sportsnet host believed that after hitting unrestricted free agency on July 1st, Marchand would sign with the Leafs. Yet, in a rare case, the NHL star himself responded to the take.

“S— dawg …the people wanna see it???” Marchand commented on the Instagram post with Nick Kypreos’ prediction. While NHL stars do address trade rumors, it’s rare for them to reply directly to individual claims. However, the former Boston Bruins captain was probably so surprised that he couldn’t contain himself. Now, you may be wondering why Marchand would find it so surprising.

After all, it’s not uncommon for NHL teams to dish out lucrative contracts for skaters they truly want to pursue. Yet, Marchand has become the Leafs’ kryptonite. In fact, the 37-year-old’s overtime goal in Game 3 of Round 2 derailed the Leafs’ playoff bid this year, too. The Blue Brigade was leading the series 2-0 until Brad Marchand scored his 5th career game-winning playoff goal against the Leafs.

So maybe that’s why Marchand wanted to know what the fans thought of the suggestion. Finally, while Nick Kypreos seemed confident with his prediction, there’s another reason for all the surprise, and that’s because Marchand may not even make it to free agency.

Brad Marchand dropped a massive hint on his NHL future

While Brad Marchand will become an unrestricted free agent after July 1, the forward may sign an extension with the Cats before that. While the Florida Panthers are cap-strapped to $19 million and looking to sign not one but three players (Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad) who’ll become UFAs after July 1, something’s brewing with Marchand. The 37-year-old has dropped not one but multiple hints about it.

“It feels like I’m home,” Brad Marchand told the media on the same day Kypreos made his prediction. What’s more? He even joked about a contract. “Give me a contract,” said the oldest player to score in the first three games of a Stanley Cup final, added. And that’s not all. The most convincing hint that Marchand and the Panthers are talking came during the team’s celebration at the Elbo Room.

The FLA Cats Hockey Podcast host, David Rodriguez, posted the clip of what exactly happened. “‘I’m not f—– leaving,’ and someone says one more year, and he shakes his head and raises 4 fingers,” the podcast host wrote while sharing the clip. If that’s not a hint, then what is? It’s also clear that Marchand is happy.

“All those teams making bad decisions to get rid of guys and our team making incredible decisions to bring them all in,” the NHL veteran said while discussing his dig at several NHL teams, including his old team. While nothing’s official yet, it’s safe to assume that Brad Marchand is Florida’s to keep, and unless they fumble the ball, it’ll be hard for the Leafs to steal the two-time Stanley Cup winner.