Marchand believes in Bruins: Move to contender 'doesn't really interest me'

Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand doesn't want to be traded to a Stanley Cup contender before the March 7 deadline because he believes he already plays for one.

"There really hasn't been many teams I've looked at this year and been like, 'Wow, they're so much better than us,'" Marchand told The Athletic's Fluto Shinzawa. "Any team that is a contending team, we've beat or we've been right there with. So that doesn't really interest me. I believe in our group, what we have and what we can accomplish."

Marchand is an unrestricted free agent this summer, and he's been floated as a potential trade candidate in recent weeks. The 36-year-old has an eight-team no-trade clause and has repeatedly denied any desire to leave Boston.

"I've always planned on playing here my entire career. That hasn't changed," Marchand said. "They're aware of that. I think everyone's aware of that. It's a gift to play for this team. I take a tremendous pride in it. So yeah, that's the goal."

Marchand has recorded 45 points in 58 games this season and recently won gold with Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off. He's among the top five in Bruins history in games played (1,087), goals (421), and points (974).

The Bruins could be sellers at the deadline - they currently sit outside the playoff picture and own the fourth-worst (minus-26) goal differential in the Eastern Conference. Their top defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm will also be out for the foreseeable future.

Although a deal seems unlikely, Marchand would be Boston's most valuable asset. Trent Frederic and Justin Brazeau are other notable pending UFAs on the team's books.

The Bruins haven't missed the playoffs since 2015-16.