Report: Bruins, Sharks Discussing Marchand-Marleau Trade
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Stanley Cup Final isn't even over yet, but Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli appears to be ready to hit the offseason running.
According to James Muprhy of XNSports, the Bruins and the Sharks have discussed a possible trade which would send left winger Brad Marchand out to San Jose, with veteran forward Patrick Marleau coming to Boston in return.
"There were no specific details on if any other players or picks would also be involved," Murphy wrote, "but it's worth keeping an eye on."
Bruins fans certainly will keep an eye on that one, as it would represent a major shakeup and yet another send-off to a top-six forward.
Marchand, 26, signed a four-year contract extension in September 2012, which pays him an average salary of $4.5 million per year from the 2013-14 season through the 2016-17 season. He had an up-and-down season in the first year of that contract, scoring 25 goals with 28 assists before coming up flat in the postseason, when he had zero goals and five assists in 12 games as the Bruins were eliminated in the second round by the Montreal Canadiens.
Marleau, who will turn 35 before next season begins, carries a $6.67 million cap hit for the next three seasons. He's spent his entire 16-year career with the Sharks. Last year, Marleau scored 33 goals and assisted on 37 more before posting 3-4-7 totals in seven playoff games.
Murphy pointed out that that Sharks GM Doug Wilson said last week, "I want players that want to play here, not just live here."
"There's a common belief that comment was directed at Marleau and captain Joe Thornton," Murph wrote.
Last season, Chiarelli made a major splash by trading Marchand's close friend and linemate Tyler Seguin to the Dallas Stars on July 4, proving the Bruins' GM is unafraid to make a move on one of his top lines.
UPDATE: The Boston Globe's Amalie Benjamin passed along quotes from Chiarelli, who denied any such talks have taken place.
Peter Chiarelli: "I have had no discussions for [Brad] Marchand and I have no plans to trade him. ..."
— Amalie Benjamin (@AmalieBenjamin) June 13, 2014
More Chiarelli: "... I don't make it a practice to respond to reports in the social media but occasionally it is necessary."
— Amalie Benjamin (@AmalieBenjamin) June 13, 2014
Fred Toucher from Toucher & Rich discussed the trade rumor on Friday's show:
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