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Panthers' Brad Marchand Receives Eye-Opening Free Agency Prediction

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Levine | Last updated Jun 6, 2025 7:49 PM ET

The Florida Panthers are in the middle of the Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers, and the team is directly focused on winning the series. But once the season is over, the front office is going to have some tough decisions to make.

Star center Brad Marchand will be entering free agency and is expected to command a lot of money on the open market. When the Panthers traded for Marchand, they knew that he could be a rental, but there is always a chance he stays in town as well.

But NHL insider Chris Johnston provided an eye-opening prediction on the free agency of the star player.

“I think next season he’s going to make the most money he’s ever made in the NHL,” Johnston said. “I think he’s getting a raise. I’ve been led to believe that $8 million is about the number it’s going to take — again, it might be a little higher, a little lower, but that’s essentially the range for Marchand.”, Johnston said.

Marchand has posted five goals and 10 assists over 18 playoff games with the Panthers this season. The veteran has been a big reason why Florida was able to get back to the Stanley Cup Final, and he remains a very productive player.

There will likely be multiple teams going after him on the open market, and everything will depend on what Marchand wants. The center has fit in very nicely alongside the other players on the Panthers, but whether the team will open the checkbook remains unknown.

Florida also needs to resign center Sam Bennett, and it could force them to make some hard choices. Either way, Marchand is focused on helping Florida win the Stanley Cup for now and will deal with the free agency stuff after the fact.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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