"So what's the hold-up with the Brad Marchand contract negotiations anyway?

It's become the biggest – and really the only – question mark of the summer for the Bruins with so many pieces locked into place on the Stanley Cup winning roster. Normally the B's front office is excellent at taking care of lingering contracts early in the process, but Marchand's status has remained unresolved through the entire summer.

Marchand was a rookie revelation for the Bruins with 21 goals during the regular season along with a key role as agitator that had really been missing from the roster makeup in the past. The 23-year-old Marchand then exploded in the Stanley Cup playoffs for a franchise record 11 goals (and 19 points) during 25 postseason games – including some very big performances for the 5-foot-8 Nova Scotia native against the Canucks in the Cup Finals.

It's no exaggeration to say Marchand's bargaining profile grew exponentially in the playoffs."