NHL Free Agency: Brad Marchand linked to signing with Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a team to watch this offseason, as big changes are coming to general manager Brad Treliving's roster. With Mitch Marner heading out the door, there's going to be a new look to their top line next season, which could include pending free-agent forward Brad Marchand.

Daily Faceoff's Matt Larkin played UFA Matchmaker in a recent article, and sees the Leafs being a major player to sign Marchand:

It’s a virtual certainty that Marner’s tenure with Toronto ends at nine seasons. The Leafs will need to replace him with a top-six winger. Nikolaj Ehlers might be a closer imitation to what Marner brings as a playmaker, but Ehlers has historically struggled in the postseason, just like Marner. If the Leafs want to get truly reactionary and conquer the intangibles that have held them back, they can bring in the man who has beaten them in five Game 7s since 2013. With a dominant postseason, Marchand showed he still has plenty to give at 37, and his swashbuckling swagger epitomizes what’s missing from the Leafs’ dressing room. Even former Marchand enemies like Bennett spoke so glowingly about Marchand’s inspirational impact on his teammates this spring.

Marchand is 37, and will be one of the most sought after free-agent forwards on the market. Treliving has work to do to get extensions completed for Matthew Knies and John Tavares, and currently has Morgan Rielly, Nick Robertson, and Brandon Carlo on the trade market.

It was strange enough seeing Marchand play for the Florida Panthers down the stretch, seeing the long time Boston Bruin in Toronto is going to be next level.

Photo credit: Bob Lee, Imagn Images