Bruins

“I won't do it – but I think this report from Elliotte is wrong.”

Is Brad Marchand close to putting pen to paper on a new deal with the Bruins?

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported on Sportsnet Saturday night that Boston and its 36-year-old captain are getting closer to an extension.

“The word is that the Bruins and Marchand are getting closer to an extension that is expected to last three years,” Freidman said. “We'll see what happens in the next moment, but word is they're getting closer.”

But after Boston's 4-3 overtime win over the Maple Leafs on Saturday night, Marchand pushed back against Friedman's report that both he and the Bruins were close to a new contract.

“Elliotte likes to talk about me this week, doesn’t she? I mean, I've mentioned this before. “I don’t particularly like talking about contract issues in the media,” Marchand said. “I won't do it – but I think this report from Elliotte is wrong.

“But I will not speak to the media about my contractual matters. But if I signed a three-year extension, it would be signed. Elliotte is clearly wrong. So that’s it.”

Marchand, who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2024-25 season, turns 37 on May 11. Rumor has it that a three-year deal would keep him in Boston through the end of the 2027-28 season.

Before the start of training camp in Boston in September, Marchand emphasized that he would not discuss contract negotiations with the media.

“I’m going to say this now and leave it at that; “I will never talk about contract issues in the media,” Marchand said. “I saw a report the other day, I think it was the Hockey News. I don't know where he gets his information from.

“It wasn’t on our part. We won't talk about it. Whatever goes on will remain internal between (Don Sweeney) and our group. I'll leave it at that. I think there’s enough respect between the two sides to get by.”

Marchand had a quieter start to the 2024-25 season (four assists in the first eight games) but broke through with a primary assist and the game-winning goal for Boston in overtime against Toronto.

While Marchand is yet to pen a new contract, the captain has made his intentions known when it comes to playing beyond his current deal.

In a speech in February, Marchand expressed his desire to represent Canada at the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

“I was very disappointed – I missed the last two (Olympics),” Marchand said. “It felt like we were deprived of presence. So that's definitely a big goal.

“I'm going to do everything I can to be there and make sure I'm in the best possible shape and best possible position to try and get into this team. There’s still a long way to go, but it’s definitely a nice goal to set and pursue.”

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Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.

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