Brad Marchand addresses rumors of a contract extension with the Bruins

BOSTON — For a moment, it seemed like there was an answer to Brad Marchand's uncertain future with the Boston Bruins.

Sportsnet's Elliott Friedman reported during Boston's 4-3 overtime win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night that Marchand was close to agreeing to a three-year contract extension with the Bruins.

But Marchand, whose contract expires at the end of this season, firmly denied the rumor.

“Elliott likes to talk about me this week,” Marchand said after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime. “I've already mentioned this, I don't like talking about contract issues in the media. I won't do it. But this report from Elliott is wrong. I will not speak to the media about my contractual matters. If I signed a three-year extension, it would be signed. Elliott is just wrong.”

Marchand has spent each of his 16 seasons with the Bruins after the franchise selected him in the third round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

The Bruins captain is no longer at the peak of his powers at 36, but can still be a productive top-six forward, as he proved last season by posting 29 goals and 38 assists in 67 seasons.

There is no doubt that the bumps and bruises that come with a long career have taken their toll on the undersized winger, standing at 5-foot-10 and weighing 176 pounds. Marchand revealed before the start of the season that he underwent three surgeries last offseason and missed the start of the 2022-23 season after undergoing double hip arthroscopy and labral repair surgery.

Marchand has had an unusual start this season as he is playing in the final year of an eight-year contract he signed in 2016. His goal against the Maple Leafs was his first of the season.