Brad Marchand Reacts to Report He’s Signing With Maple Leafs

Brad Marchand has given his reaction to the report that he plans to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Marchand is a pending free agent after helping the Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup. Ahead of free agency on July 1, NHL insider Nick Kypreos reported that Marchand plans to sign with the Maple Leafs in free agency.

After the report came out, Marchand responded to it in an Instagram comment and seemingly hinted at the idea coming true.

“(Expletive) dawg… the people wanna see it?,” Marchand wrote in a comment.

Marchand is coming off an eight-year, $49 million deal and will likely be looking to cash in on free agency. He was traded to the Panthers at the deadline from the Boston Bruins and was a key reason why Florida won the Stanley Cup.

Marchand recorded 10 goals and 10 assists for 20 points in 23 playoff games.

Insider Believes Marchand Will Sign With Maple Leafs

Marchand’s response comes after Kypreos claimed he would be signing with the Maple Leafs.

Kypreos appeared on Leafs Morning Take on June 20 and revealed that Marchand is likely to sign with Toronto.

“He’s the first one to say ‘I was underpaid in Boston, and I’m going to go out there and make it up right now.’ There’s no team on the planet right now that can satisfy the lost income he had probably on the last 3-4 years of his Boston Bruins deal, than the Toronto Maple Leafs. I don’t know how he doesn’t end up as a Maple Leaf, let me put it to you that way,” Kypreos said of Marchand.

Marchand signing in Toronto would be a massive deal for the Maple Leafs. He would help change the DNA of the Maple Leafs, which is something the team has wanted to improve on.

Marchand, meanwhile, also claimed he grew up a Maple Leafs fan after he helped Florida eliminate Toronto in the second round.

“I grew up a Leafs fan, and I enjoy playing against the Leafs,” Marchand said after the series ended. “I enjoy interacting with fans. It’s fun. I don’t take myself too seriously. I love getting made fun of and I love making fun of people. If you can’t take it, then so be it. I’m going to enjoy the moments that I have. When I come in here and I get booed, I’m good. I’m going to show it. I’m going to enjoy that.”

Marchand has won two Stanley Cups in his career.

Maple Leafs GM Wants DNA Change

Part of the reason for signing Marchand would be for his leadership and playoff ability.

After the Maple Leafs had another early playoff exit, Treliving said the team needed a DNA change.

“There will be change moving forward, that’s just the nature of the business,” Treliving said. “We have to continue to change and evolve our mindset and create the team, both between the ears, personnel, to be our very best at the most critical moments. There’s some DNA that has to change on our team. If you keep getting to the same result, and that’s not to dismiss a lot of the good that (led) up to it, if you keep getting the same result, there’s some DNA that needs to change. That’s on me going forward, and our staff.”

The Maple Leafs have just over $25.7 million in cap space.