Last year, before Toronto and Boston’s first-round series, Brad Marchand made a revelation enough to turn every Leafs fans’ head– “They were my favorite team growing up.” Originally from Nova Scotia, on the East Coast of Canada, the 37-year-old has not just kept an eye on them but is “still a huge fan of their game.” The love didn’t end even though he ended their Stanley Cup hopes in round 2 as a Panther when he practically sympathized with the Leafs getting heat despite “working & building something really big here for a while.” While it may be his way of backing his claim of “Anything is on the table,” murmurs of him returning to homeland are echoing louder by the day.

Previously, NHLonTNT‘s Paul ‘Biz Nasty’ Bissonnette brought up his name to finally replace it with Marchy’s teammate Sam Bennett. He was even ready to pay “a few million” to get him to Toronto. Then Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos made a “more realistic” suggestion for why Marchand is more suited for HC Craig Berube on a revamping journey. Toronto could not carry the regular season momentum, where they ended at the top of the division, into the post season. Although they did trample all over the Sens in round-1 and plucked back-to-back wins in round-2 over the Florida Panthers, the Cats not just survived but took away the series.

It was his goal against them in Game 3 of the second-round series this year that potentially tipped the scales in the Panthers’ favor. Add to it all, Leafs veteran Mitch Marner leaving Toronto for good. With unrestricted free agency on the horizon and an incredible postseason performance for the Panthers, Marchand has cleared how age is just a number for him. And the Atlantic Division powerhouse actually able to use that expert lens is no longer just a wishful thinking from the fanbase.

An X post by NHL Trade Rumours from Friday notes information from former hockey player, and current NHL analyst for The Athletic. “Chris Johnston: The Maple Leafs “make sense on some level” for Brad Marchand – Chris Johnston Show.” Even The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun earlier mentioned, “And yes, as others have wondered, I do believe the Toronto Maple Leafs will be among the possibilities for Marchand… But to be clear, there are multiple teams in play for Marchand if and when he hits the market.” But he also added a kicker.

“I think he’s going to get three or four years and easily north of $8 million a year.” Now that won’t sound as bad without the context. If Marchand does enter the free agency on July 1, Toronto has just over $25.7 million in cap space. This is before Mitch Marner is off their books and restricted free agent Matthew Knies gets his new deal. If let’s say Knies agrees at $7.5 million per year and John Tavares at $5M AAV, the team only has about $13.2 million remaining. If Marchand does go North of $8 million, and is likely to ask for a 3 or 4-year deal, Toronto might need to get creative.

After the Panthers crushed the Leafs in Game 7, Marchand even went on to note his displeasure at the Leafs fans’ behavior towards the team. Quite the way to get yourself on your foes’ good books, indeed. But chances are the Leafs want him more for his on-ice displays.

Brad Marchand keeps making new fans with his prowess

Transferring to Florida in March, Marchand only got to play two regular-season games with the Panthers. However, with the playoffs arriving, the winger has shown his worth to his new comrades in an impressive manner. With 18 points (8 goals, 10 assists) in 21 postseason games, Brad has been a crucial force behind the Panthers’ title defense campaign so far. Even Florida GM, Bill Zito, admitted that having Marchand in the roster has been a terrific boost for the team’s overall morale.

With Brad breaking a 52-year-old record with his goal against the Oilers, 56 seconds into Game 3, he has once again proved it beyond any doubt that he still has more to offer to the sport. There were rumors of the Leafs going after his teammate Sam Bennett as well, but chances are he’s going to be much more expensive as opposed to Marchand.

As per some sources, Marchand could well be on his way to secure a massive $8 million contract wherever he decides to go next after his stint with Florida comes to an end in July. But how much do you think his value will be?