Update Involving the Maple Leafs and Brad Marchand Only Adding Fuel to the Fire

The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to be very busy this summer, but with a shallower free agent pool than in recent years, they're going to have their work cut out for them if they intend to attract some of the bigger fish.

Big game hunting isn't a new tactic for the Leafs but with the two most sought after players no longer on their radar, they have to check-down and divert their attention elsewhere, which will almost certainly be Brad Marchand.

The veteran forward had a fantastic post-season run for the Panthers with 10 goals and 20 points in 23 games. He saved the best for last as his 6 goals scored in the Stanley Cup Finals played a pivotal role in defeating the Edmonton Oilers.

With his contract set to expire on the 1st of July, Marchand is expected to have a robust market and with rumours swirling that he's looking for top dollar and term on his next deal, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos believes the Leafs might be the only team willing to meet those demands.

Marchand just turned 37 years old, and while he looked spry during the post-season, Father Time remains undefeated, which could make a long-term deal a riskier option for most teams.

It's believed that teams are willing to offer a high AAV on a 3-year deal, but his camp is reportedly expecting 4 years of term. Kypreos believes that the Leafs might be the only team willing to go 4 years.

While it was a down year of sorts for Marchand during the regular season, it was quite obvious that he still has a lot left in the tank in the playoffs, which would serve a grand purpose in Toronto, especially with Mitch Marner expected to walk.

The Panthers will still look for ways to extend Marchand within the next week or so, but should he walk into free agency, look for the Maple Leafs to be ultra aggressive as they hope to enlist his services.