Bruins Trading Brad Marchand Becoming "Likely": Report

Boston Bruins superstar Brad Marchand has been in the rumor mill over the last several weeks. While the Bruins and Marchand have expressed mutual interest in getting a contract extension done, a trade centering around No. 63 is undoubtedly a possibility right now.

On a recent episode of TSN Insider Trading, NHL insider Chris Johnston reported that there is an expectation around the league that Marchand is "likely" to be traded by the March 7 deadline. 

"At this point in time, there's no confirmation that [Marchand] is going to be traded," Johnston said. "But the feeling league-wide is that he very much is likely to be moved by the Bruins at some point to the West. We'll see where this goes because there have been some conversations on a new contract as recently as the last couple of days, so there's always the pivot point when we get this close. You don't want to box yourself totally in, but it does feel like it's moving to a Marchand deal, which would be a surprise, given that he is a lifelong Bruin and wanted to stay there. 

This is undoubtedly a major update on Marchand. While there is still time for the Bruins and Marchand to work out an extension, it is certainly notable that the feeling around the NHL is that Marchand will get traded by the deadline. 

If the Bruins do end up trading Marchand, they would need to get a significant return for their captain. He is still a star at this point of his career, as he has 21 goals, 47 points, and 66 hits in 61 games this season. He also has a plethora of playoff experience and a Stanley Cup on his resume, which contenders are always on the hunt for. 

It will be very fascinating to see what happens between the Bruins and Marchand from here. If a trade occurs, it would mark the end of an amazing era in Boston for the 2006 third-round pick.