|
Post by Digits on Sept 26, 2016 8:19:58 GMT -5
Boston Bruins left winger Brad Marchand and Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby have developed a strong chemistry on Team Canada's top line at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. The pair meshed so well together that Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press ponders the possibility of them as NHL teammates in the near future.
Marchand, 28, is eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency. If he hits the open market, Whyno considers the scoring winger an intriguing option for the Penguins. By shipping out goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and his $5.75-million annual salary-cap hit before next June's NHL expansion draft, Whyno believes they'll have money to spend, especially if they pass on re-signing UFAs such as aging winger Chris Kunitz.
That's assuming, of course, the Bruins don't re-sign Marchand, whose current annual cap hit is $4.5 million. He'll likely seek over $6 million per season on a long-term deal. Earlier this month, Bruins president Cam Neely signalled his club's intent to re-sign Marchand, preferably before the start of the upcoming season.
Should Marchand decide to test next summer's free-agent market, there's no guarantee the Penguins can land him. Assuming they move out Fleury's cap hit before next summer, they'll have roughly $50 million invested in 12 players.
Here is what Marchand has to say to the media: “That’s a long ways away,” Marchand acknowledged when asked last night about the possibility of playing with Crosby. “There’s championship games here, we got to think about that first. But we’ll deal with whatever needs to be dealt with down the road. But it’s a lot of fun playing with Sid, there’s no question about that. But for now we’ll keep that to here.”
|
|