Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand’s recent six-year contract has sparked controversy this summer, drawing attention for its length and financial implications. An <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/hockey/nhl/”>NHL insider criticized the deal, comparing it to the controversial contract signed by Ilya Kovalchuk in 2010, and raising concerns about potential salary cap manipulation related to the Brad Marchand six-year contract controversy.
Controversy Surrounding Marchand’s Long-Term Deal
David Alter, a well-known journalist from The Hockey News, voiced his concerns on social media regarding the length of Marchand’s contract. He questioned the NHL’s approval of the deal, likening it to the infamous Kovalchuk agreement, which had been heavily scrutinized for circumventing the salary cap.
“I still can’t believe the NHL allowed this deal to go through. Yes, it’s within the rules. But the Ilya Kovalchuk 15 year $100 million deal was also within the rules until the NHL said enough was enough and didn’t allow it.”
—David Alter, NHL Insider
Back in 2010, the New Jersey Devils signed Kovalchuk to a 15-year contract after the league rejected an initial 17-year deal. The NHL penalized the Devils with a $3 million fine and the forfeiture of a first-round draft pick, citing cap circumvention. Eventually, the league lifted the draft pick penalty but maintained the fine, underlining the league’s stance against extended term contracts designed to lower the cap hit.
In a video commentary, Alter elaborated on his skepticism of Marchand’s contract duration, questioning the likelihood of Marchand remaining effective as a player into his 40s.
“We all expected that he would get multiple years into those years where he may or may not play. But to 43 years of age? No one has played in the NHL into 43, as a forward, since Jaromir Jagr in 2017-2018.”
—David Alter, NHL Insider
Alter also called out the NHL for what he suspects is leniency toward the Florida Panthers in allowing the contract.
“It is kind of sketchy. I’d be surprised, or may I shouldn’t be surprised, if the NHL allows it… this looks like pure cap circumvention… doesn’t look like anything is going to be done about it.”
—David Alter, NHL Insider
The NHL has yet to announce any formal investigation into the Panthers’ move, leaving the situation unresolved. While the legacy of deals like Kovalchuk’s still looms, precedent suggests Marchand may indeed be capable of playing well beyond 40, though the length of his contract remains a point of contention among analysts and fans alike.
Veteran Players Seeing Extended Careers Across the NHL
It is becoming increasingly common for NHL players to continue performing past their 40th birthday. Recent seasons have featured multiple athletes maintaining significant roles well into their 40s, challenging past assumptions about the limits of player longevity in the league.
Corey Perry is a prominent example, having played a key role in the Edmonton Oilers’ top six during the previous season. Perry’s contract history reveals a shift to shorter-term agreements, with several one-year deals following a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning that started in 2021. This approach differs considerably from Marchand’s multi-year commitment at an advanced playing age.
Similarly, defenseman Brent Burns joined the Colorado Avalanche on a one-year contract this summer after completing an eight-year deal. Burns’ continuation at 40-plus years old further illustrates that players can maintain productivity late into their careers, although they typically do so on shorter-term deals.
Unlike Perry and Burns, Marchand’s six-year contract, agreed upon at 37 years old, raises questions about the sustainability and authenticity of the contract’s structure. Nevertheless, the trend of players effectively competing into their late 30s and early 40s supports the argument that Marchand could sustain NHL-level play for some years to come, akin to Jaromir Jagr’s extended career.
Jagr, whose final full NHL season was at age 42, produced notable statistics, scoring 16 goals and tallying 46 points over 82 games. Marchand’s commitment to a lengthy contract may be influenced by confidence in his ability to perform similarly, despite skepticism from insiders and analysts.
Implications for the NHL and Future Player Contracts
The debate over Marchand’s six-year contract touches on broader questions about the NHL’s salary cap rules and enforcement. Contracts designed with long durations may challenge the spirit of the cap system, encouraging the league to reassess current policies. If the NHL chooses not to act, this deal could set a precedent for other teams seeking to structure contracts through extended terms to gain financial advantages.
For the Florida Panthers, securing Marchand long-term could provide stability and leadership, but it also puts the organization under scrutiny. Whether the league investigates or allows this contract to stand may influence how player contracts are negotiated and approved moving forward, marking a potential shift in NHL contract norms.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Brad Marchand have a hip replacement?
A. On May 27, Brad Marchand, who plays for the Boston Bruins, had a successful surgery on both hips. Dr. Bryan Kelly performed the hip arthroscopy and labral repair at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. It will likely take him about six months to recover.