The Daily: Marchand Still An Intriguing UFA; NHL Trade Talk

He’s older and the jersey is different, yet Brad Marchand is still the spool of energy and skill he was with the Boston Bruins.

Florida Hockey Now’s George Richards’ story makes it clear that the small, prickly Rat King was the difference in Florida’s 5-4 double-overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers in Game  2. Marchand scored twice, once shorthanded and the other one an OT tally. The Panthers’ trade deadline acquisition is having an impact.  The series is now tied 1-1.

MARCHAND CALLS GAME IN DOUBLE OVERTIME 😱

HIS SECOND GOAL OF GAME 2 TIES THE STANLEY CUP FINAL 🔥 pic.twitter.com/mzpZFh2J8L

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 7, 2025

“Favorite player of all time,’’ Roberto Luongo tweeted moments after Marchand beat Stuart Skinner for the second time.

What’s even more interesting is that Marchand becomes a UFA after the season. The Panthers are expected to attempt to re-sign him, but they have multiple key players to re-sign, including Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad. They can’t afford to keep everyone.

There are more teams than usual with cap space this summer because the cap went up. That includes the Detroit Red Wings.  Detroit Hockey Now mentioned Marchand as a Detroit possibility in our story on what the Red Wings need to do. He’s a smaller player, and the Red Wings already have two smaller players (Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat) in their top six. But Marchand plays a much bigger game.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

New day, new Hall of Fame induction for Red Wings legend Pavel Datsyuk.

Former Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde has found a new job. Surprise.  It wasn’t with his former Tampa Bay Lightning club.

With more than $21 million in cap space, the Red Wings are not desperate to make any buyouts. But one report says the Red Wings may consider buying out Justin Holl’s last year on his contract.

Offseason +/-

Additions: Latvian Eduards Tralmaks (free agent signed after leading Czech Extraliga in scoring); Prospect forward Jesse Kiiskinen (signed after strong season in Swedish Elite League)

Subtractions: Prospect defenseman Eemil Viro (Signed with Malmo in the Swedish League after seeing writing on the wall)

Hockey Now Network

Boston: How Marco Sturm can improve the Bruins in his first season as their coach. Boston Bruins

Colorado: Logan O’Connor’s hip surgery will keep him sidelined five or six months.  Colorado Avalanche. 

Florida: The Rat King delivered for the Panthers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. Brad Marchand’s heroics include a double-overtime goal. Florida Panthers. 

New Jersey: The Devils are scouring the NHL trade market, looking at everyone, including Buffalo’s JJ Peterka and Dallas Stars’ Jason Robertson. James Nichols has a breakdown. New Jersey Devils. 

Pittsburgh: Russian forward Vasily Ponomarev is saying goodbye to the Penguins to play in the KHL next season. Pittsburgh Penguins.

San Jose: Draft eligible Victor Eklund talks about the impact his older brother William has had on him.  William plays for the Sharks. Some mock drafts have the Red Wings taking Victor at No. 13 in the draft. However, most projections have Victor gone by then. San Jose Sharks. 

Vegas: Hannah Kirkell explains why the Golden Knights have a goaltending problem and what they need to do about it. Vegas Golden Knights.