Maple Leafs Can Offer Unique Opportunity to Brad Marchand That Not Many Others Can

For the sixth year in a row, a Floridian team is in the Stanley Cup Finals and 15 of the past 24 teams to make the Cup Final have been from tax-free states. Those numbers have led to fans across the league calling for the NHL and NHLPA to make changes to the Collective Bargaining Agreement to level the playing field.

That won't happen, according to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, but in some cases, for teams like the Maple Leafs, and New York Rangers, there are other ways for them to lure free agents to their markets.

Endorsement deals can play a huge part in a player's post-playing career, whether that means a residual income or leading to opportunities in broadcasting or reporting, and Toronto is full of those opportunities - and something they often use when pitching to free agents.

Although hated by Leafs Nation for much of his career, Marchand would instantly become a fan-favourite if he joined the Maple Leafs, which could become a reality in the near future.

At 37, Marchand is reportedly seeking a 3-4-year deal in the $8M range. TSN's Chris Johnston made an appearance on TSN 1050 earlier in the week and noted that Marchand is looking to maximize his dollar amount.

While he can do that in Florida or any other tax-free state with his contract, the Leafs are able to offer him an abundance of endorsement deals to off-set some of the money he would lose if he were to sign in Toronto.

As Johnston explained during his appearance on TSN 1050, Leafs like Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner make far more money than anyone on the Panthers off the ice.

Marchand is keeping his options open ahead of free agency on July 1st, and with Leafs GM Brad Treliving looking to "change the DNA" this summer, it seems like a match made in heaven between team and player.