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Bruins want to begin extension talks with Marchand this summer

Boston Bruins v Columbus Blue Jackets

COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 16: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins lines up for a face-off during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 16, 2016 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Boston defeated Columbus 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

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The Boston Bruins have plenty of work to do this summer. They’ll need to work out new contracts with potential UFA Loui Eriksson and RFA Torey Krug. There’s also another important contract they’ll need try to tackle in the coming weeks.

Brad Marchand, who led the Bruins in goals with 37, has one year remaining on his contract at $4.5 million. After scoring a career-high 61 points in 77 games in 2015-16, Marchand will certainly be in line for a significant raise.

The Bruins don’t want to waste any time when it comes to working out an extension with a player of Marchand’s importance.

“We’re going to look at Brad right away…early on here in the process once we get past that first wave in July,” said Bruins GM Don Sweeney, per CSN New England. “We’ll have some good discussions. We’d prefer that we’re tracking on the earlier side of things. He’s a big part of our hockey club.”

Here’s an excerpt from Joe Haggerty’s story:

A 6-7 year contract north of $6 million per season would seem the starting point for a guy that’s been better than an “OK player” while serving productively as Patrice Bergeron’s partner-in-crime for the last six seasons.

One thing there’s no doubt about: Marchand had a career-changing year while scoring a career-high 37 goals, taking a step up in the leadership department and bringing the effort, focus and intensity every single game. Marchand also showed a developing maturity to his game when he apologized publicly for a hit that got him suspended for the Winter Classic against the Canadiens, and was always accountable in the postgame dressing room whether it was win, lose or shootout.

It’ll be interesting to see if the two sides can work out a deal prior to the start of training camp.