Toronto Maple Leafs Set to Overpay Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett in Blockbuster Offseason Deal
TORONTO, ON – In what could be one of the boldest moves in recent franchise history, the Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly preparing to break the bank to sign Florida Panthers stars Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett in a blockbuster offseason strategy aimed at ending their long-standing playoff woes.
According to Sportsnet analysts Sam McKee and JD Bunkis, the Leafs are being urged to make an aggressive push for Marchand and Bennett, two players who have consistently tormented Toronto in the postseason. With both players becoming free agents this summer, the Maple Leafs see an opportunity to shift the balance of power in the Eastern Conference.
“This guy is the Leafs’ daddy, he is their Papa,” McKee said on LeafsTalk, referring to Marchand. “He’s 5-0 against them in Game 7s. Overpay. Just overpay Marchand and Bennett—see if it works, try it.”
Co-host JD Bunkis echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for Toronto to be willing to outbid the market to land a difference-maker like Marchand.
“Don’t you offer him more than his market value to get him to come here? I think you should,” Bunkis said. “If you can’t beat him, buy him.”
The Leafs are coming off another heartbreaking early exit, losing 7-2 to Florida in Game 7 of the second round. Despite a season that showed promise, the result has led to further questions about the core of the team, especially with Mitch Marner and John Tavares entering the final year of their contracts.
Marchand, currently on the last year of his eight-year, $49 million contract, played a pivotal role in eliminating Toronto, posting a goal and two assists in Game 7. He now has 12 points in 12 playoff games, continuing to be a postseason force even in his mid-30s.
Meanwhile, Bennett has emerged as one of the league’s most effective two-way forwards, combining physicality with timely scoring. His style of play is exactly what many believe the Leafs are missing.
Sources close to the team suggest Toronto is willing to offer Marchand a two-year deal worth over $8 million annually, far exceeding his expected market value, along with a similar aggressive offer for Bennett. The deal would likely require the Leafs to part ways with at least one of Marner or Tavares, both of whom carry hefty contracts and may not be retained beyond next season.
“Toronto has had the skill. What they’ve lacked is edge, playoff toughness, and leadership that shows up in big moments,” one NHL executive said. “Marchand and Bennett bring that in spades.”
Interestingly, Marchand spoke highly of the Leafs after the Game 7 win, dismissing the harsh criticism the team has faced.
“They’ve been working and building something really big here,” Marchand said. “They were a different brand of hockey this year… they’re getting crucified, and I don’t think it’s justified.”
Now, Toronto hopes to bring that praise full circle by adding the veteran winger and his hard-nosed teammate to their own locker room. If the deals go through, it could mark a new, grittier era for the Maple Leafs—and perhaps finally, a
postseason breakthrough.
