Bruins' Marchand denies report of extension progress

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Saturday that the Bruins and Brad Marchand are "getting closer on an extension" that's expected to be for three years, but Boston's captain doesn't see it the same way.

"That report from Elliotte is false," Marchand said, adding he won't discuss his contract status through the media.

Marchand is in the final season of an eight-year, $49-million contract he signed in 2016.

A three-year extension would keep Marchand, 36, in Boston through his age-39 campaign. Evolving-Hockey projects he would earn $7.173 million annually on a three-year deal.

Marchand scored the overtime winner Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs for his first goal of the campaign and now has six points in nine games. He's notched 67 points in each of the last two seasons.

The Halifax, Nova Scotia, native has spent his entire career with the Bruins after the club drafted him in the third round in 2006. He won a Stanley Cup in 2011 and ranks fifth in franchise history in games played (1,038) and points (935). Marchand was named captain in 2023 following Patrice Bergeron's retirement.