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Extension talks between Bruins, Marchand have begun

Boston Bruins v Ottawa Senators

OTTAWA, ON - MARCH 10: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins prepares for a faceoff against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on March 10, 2015 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)

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The Boston Bruins wanted to begin contract extension talks with Brad Marchand and now it sounds like the two sides have started talking, according to Bruins GM Don Sweeney.

“We have identified [Marchand] as a core guy and we want to continue down that path,” said Sweeney, per NHL.com. “Obviously it takes two sides to make a deal. I would envision that he’d like to be a part of this organization for what could arguably be his whole career. Brad has a say in this as well. But that’s as far as talking about contract-wise, that’s probably as far as I’d go in that regard.”

Marchand is in the final year of a four-year, $18 million contract ($4.5 million AAV). Like his 2015-16 totals, the numbers on his contract should be rising. Marchand scored a career-high 37 goals and 61 points in 77 games. The 28-year-old has scored 20 goals or more five times in his career and that doesn’t include the 18 goals he scored during the lockout-shortened year.

The re-signing of Marchand may cause some salary cap problems for the Bruins, as they already have a good chunk of money committed to their top forwards. David Krejci, Patrice Bergeron, David Backes and Matt Beleskey combine to make $23.925 million on the cap.

Marchand’s been one of the best value players (goals versus salary) in the NHL over the last few years.