Maple Leafs Get Bad News After Brad Marchand Signing

The Toronto Maple Leafs lost a major piece of their team as Mitch Marner left in a trade, but the Eastern Conference contender could have lessened the blow by landing another star player.

That hope is now gone as well, which could put the road to Stanley Cup contention that much longer for the Maple Leafs.

The Florida Panthers agreed to terms with trade deadline acquisition Brad Marchand on a six-year deal worth $5.25 million AAV. ESPN's Greg Wyshynsk and Kristen Shilton noted that this came as bad news to the Maple Leafs, who were seen as a top contender to sign Marchand had he hit free agency.

"The Panthers wanted to run it back with Marchand for all of these reasons, but we'll offer one more," their report noted. "Allowing him to slip to free agency could have meant seeing him sign with the division rival Toronto Maple Leafs, a team the Panthers themselves admit is finally getting its postseason act together -- a team that could use a Marchand to finally get past the Panthers. Which, obviously, the Panthers wouldn't allow to happen."

The Maple Leafs were expected to lose Marner as he headed to free agency, but instead he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, where he signed an eight-year contract extension. The Maple Leafs were able to get some compensation from Marner, getting forward Nicolas Roy in return.