NHL Rumors: 3 Potential Free-Agent Destinations for Brad Marchand

The Florida Panthers shocked the hockey world when they acquired Brad Marchand from the Boston Bruins this season. It's not often a team trades their captain to a conference rival, but that goes to show how rough of a season the Bruins had this year.

The Panthers will be in tough to keep Marchand this offseason, as the veteran forward will head to free agency on July 1. There's going to be no shortage of interest, here's three teams to consider as potential destinations for the soon-to-be free agent:

Colorado Avalanche

Marchand will likely have to settle for a two or three year deal on what could be his final contract in the NHL. The Colorado Avalanche will have a ton of interest, as they could use Marchand in a role that was once filled by Mikko Rantanen. Marchand and Nathan MacKinnon are close friends, and the Avs are expected to lose Brock Nelson, and a couple others to free agency, so they'll have the resources to make this work.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Speaking of friends, Marchand could look to finish off his career playing alongside Sidney Crosby in Pittsburgh. Kyle Dubas knows all too well what Marchand is capable of in the playoffs and could choose to finally side with the pesky winger. Marchand's shown in these playoffs he still has lots left in the tank and if the Penguins want to get back into the playoffs next season, they should add Marchand as their lone veteran and look to get younger, and faster in other areas of their hockey club.

Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes had quite the season of transactions and when the offseason rolls around, they'll have loads of cap space to work with. Look for the Hurricanes to be aggressive on the open market this summer and especially up front, which could include Marchand on a short-term deal. Carolina projects to have almost $30 million in cap space to work with, so they'll be able to offer what Marchand's looking for, and give him a chance to win another Stanley Cup next season.

photo credit:  Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images