NHL Insider's Bold Claim About Brad Marchand and the Leafs Creating Excitement in Toronto

The Florida Panthers have captured back-to-back Stanley Cups, solidifying their place as a modern-day NHL dynasty and one key contributor in their latest title run was trade deadline acquisition Brad Marchand.

The 37-year-old veteran winger played a pivotal role in the postseason, notching 10 goals and 10 assists, while providing leadership and clutch scoring throughout the playoffs.

Now a pending UFA, Marchand is reportedly seeking a deal around $8 million per year with term. Despite his age, his playoff impact has made him one of the most intriguing names on the market.

According to NHL insider Nick Kypreos, the Toronto Maple Leafs appear to be the front-runner to land the gritty winger. As Kypreos stated on the Leafs Morning Take podcast:

While seeing Brad Marchand in a Maple Leafs jersey would be strange, given his long-standing status as one of Toronto's fiercest rivals, his experience, edge, and postseason pedigree could be exactly what the Leafs need to change their team's identity.

With Mitch Marner expected to move on and his nearly $11 million cap hit coming off the books, the Leafs will have considerable financial flexibility.

That cap space could stretch even further depending on the cost of re-signing veteran John Tavares, whose next contract is expected to be more team-friendly then previously thought following Matt Duchene's recent deal with the Dallas Stars, which has set the market for veteran centres after an 82-point campaign.

Regardless of the direction Toronto takes this offseason, adding a proven winner like Marchand could be the bold move that finally pushes the Leafs forward in the playoffs.