Maple Leafs' Top UFA Target Brad Marchand Signs Absurd Deal with the Florida Panthers

Brad Marchand was reportedly the Leafs' top target had he gotten to the open market on July 1st. Unfortunately, it didn't play out the way fans had hoped.

During the Stanley Cup Finals, Marchand admitted that he was open to signing a deal anywhere, but after winning his second Stanley Cup, he has agreed to stay in Florida.

Despite rumours of him looking for North of $8M per season on a three or four-year deal, Marchand, like Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad left major money on the table to stay in Florida long-term.

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Marchand's new deal has a total amount around $32M, which would equate to $8M per season on a four-year deal.

However, the 37-year-old has agreed to a spread the money out over a six-year deal with the Panthers.

Marchand has stated that he wants to play into his 40s, but no one expects him to play out the final half of his new deal at this point.

As the Leafs' top target comes off the board, GM Brad Treliving will now have to find another way to address their depth and DNA change up front. Brock Boeser and Nikolaj Ehlers remain among the top available UFAs on the market.