Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand celebrates the team’s Stanley Cup win with fans last week in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Photo by Florida PanthersArticle contentWinning is everything to Brad Marchand so it makes sense he’s staying in Florida.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe 37-year-old winger from Hammonds Plains agreed to a six-year contract extension with the Panthers on Tuesday, passing on the chance to go to the open market as an unrestricted free agent. The annual average of the veteran winger’s new salary is $5.25 million with a full no-trade clause for the first four years and then a partial no-trade component for the final two. He’ll be 43 when the contract expires.Article contentArticle contentArticle content“Instantly supplementing our lineup from the moment he arrived in South Florida, Brad has been an outstanding addition to our team,” general manager Bill Zito announced in a news release. “He is the definition of a warrior on the ice, a critical leader for our group and a relentless competitor.”Article contentBy returning to the Panthers, Marchand gets a chance to repeat as a Stanley Cup champion. The Boston Bruins dealt him to Florida at the trade deadline in March and he played a key role in the Panthers’ second straight Cup title. He finished second to teammate Sam Bennett in voting for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff most valuable player.Article contentIn addition to leaning into his usual role as a villain in Florida, Marchand also impressed everyone inside the organization with his leadership. Head coach Paul Maurice and teammates raved about his contribution in that area on countless occasions, especially with how he struck a balance between humour and competitive focus.Article contentArticle content Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand celebrates the team’s Stanley Cup win with fans last week in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Photo by Florida PanthersArticle content“He has an incredibly positive spirit,” Maurice told reporters after the Panthers eliminated the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round. “Guys that are vocal and intense sometimes will get up and down your bench screaming at your bench. They just get so wired in games but he never does that. It’s always positive. It’s always ‘Stay in there, hang in there, that was great.’ It’s bordering on legendary status at this point.Article content“It’s his personality that I didn’t know about. He’s moved into the Matthew Tkachuk (category) where you hate them – and that’s a horrible word – but it’s close. But then they get here and you go ‘You’re the exact opposite person that I thought you were.’ He’s just a wonderful human being.”Article contentThe organization’s winning culture helped Zito also re-sign Bennett and franchise defenceman Aaron Ekblad prior to the opening of free agency. The Panthers now have all 12 forwards back from last year’s team, in addition to start goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and most of their defence.Article contentMarchand spent his first 15-and-a-half NHL seasons with the Boston Bruins but he didn’t fit into their rebuilding plans. The Bruins received a conditional second-round pick for him at the deadline, which later became a first-rounder once the Panthers advanced past the second round.Article contentHe had four points in 10 regular season games for Florida but elevated his production to 20 points in 23 games in the playoffs. Marchand also won the Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011.Article content
Florida Panthers make it official: Brad Marchand back for six more years
