Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand is among the noteworthy stars eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

The 36-year-old left wing is in the final season of an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $6.13 million. He also has an eight-team no-trade list.

Marchand has spent his entire 16-season NHL career with the Bruins. A pesky, highly skilled forward, he's been a vital part of their roster's core, helping them win the Stanley Cup in 2011 and reach the Final in 2013 and 2019. He's also helped them win the Presidents' Trophy three times, including their record-setting 65-win, 135-point performance in 2022-23.

It was in 2015-16 that he enjoyed his breakout performance with 37 goals and 61 points. From that season through 2023-24, he reached or exceeded 30 goals and 80 points five times, leading the Bruins with 701 total points. On Sep. 20, 2023, he succeeded Patrice Bergeron as team captain.

At his age, Marchand won't get a lucrative long-term deal. He could land a short-term one for roughly the same cap hit from the Bruins or another club via next summer's free-agent market.

On Oct. 26, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman claimed Marchand and the Bruins were closing in on a three-year extension, but the veteran swiftly replied that the report was incorrect.

"If I was going to sign a three-year extension, it would be signed," Marchand told Hockey Night in Canada (h/t Andrew Fantucchio of Boston Hockey Now). "Clearly, Elliotte is just wrong here."

Marchand's remarks don't mean he and team management aren't having talks, but they will want to keep them out of the public eye. It wouldn't be shocking if the two sides agreed to an extension well before July 1.

However, Boston's early-season struggles could raise questions about Marchand's future in Boston. After all, if the Tampa Bay Lightning can part ways with former franchise player Steven Stamkos after 16 seasons, the Bruins can do the same with Marchand.

Here are five way-too-early landing spots if he and the Bruins fail to work out an extension and they're out of the playoff chase by March 7. Feel free to express your thoughts on this topic in the app comments below.

Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes have been among the top teams in the Eastern Conference over the past four seasons, but they've been eliminated from the second round of the playoffs three times and were swept from the 2023 Eastern Conference Final by the Florida Panthers.

A proven postseason performer with leadership ability like Marchand could be just what the Hurricanes need to get over the hump and into the Stanley Cup Final. He could skate on the first line at left wing alongside center Sebastian Aho or on the second line with right wing Martin Necas and center Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

With $3.4 million in projected trade-deadline cap space, the Hurricanes can afford the remainder of Marchand's average annual value by the March 7 deadline. They could also sweeten the trade return to the Bruins if the latter agreed to retain part of his cap hit.

Boston could ask for defenseman Alexander Nikishin, but the Hurricanes won't part with their top prospect for a rental player. They could instead ask for left winger Bradly Nadeau in the deal along with a first-rounder and perhaps one of the Hurricanes' two third-rounders in the 2025 draft.

Colorado Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog has been attempting a comeback from the knee surgeries that have sidelined him since the end of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final.

Head coach Jared Bednar said the 32-year-old left winger suffered a setback in his recovery, but the team remains hopeful he'll return later this season.

The Avalanche could be in the market for a top-six left winger with Stanley Cup experience by March 7 if Landeskog remains sidelined. Marchand could be a good fit in Colorado, perhaps on the same line with fellow Nova Scotia native and offseason training partner Nathan MacKinnon.

Having Landeskog on long-term injury reserve by the trade deadline would give the Avalanche enough cap room to acquire the remainder of Marchand's cap hit or take on part of it if the Bruins agree to retain some of it to facilitate a trade. That would require a sweetener in the deal.

Landing Marchand could cost the Avalanche a promising young forward such as Calum Ritchie or Ivan Ivan or a prospect like defenseman Mikhail Gulyayev. The Bruins could seek their 2026 first-rounder in the deal or one of their second-rounders.

Minnesota Wild

Since joining the NHL in 2000-01, the Minnesota Wild have never advanced beyond the Western Conference Final.

However, they're off to a strong start this season led by Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek, Brock Faber, Matt Boldy and Marco Rossi. If they maintain this pace, GM Bill Guerin could become a buyer to improve his team's chances for a Stanley Cup run.

Marchand's leadership skills, abrasive style and proven playoff record could make him an enticing postseason rental player for the Wild. He may fit in well at left wing alongside Eriksson Ek and Boldy on the second line.

With $6.8 million in projected trade deadline cap space, the Wild could afford to take on Marchand. They could still attempt to get the Bruins to retain part of his cap hit to give them some extra wiggle room for another move or two before the March 7 trade deadline.

Acquiring Marchand may cost the Wild promising young forward Liam Öhgren or Marat Khusnutdinov. The Bruins could also seek a first-rounder and perhaps one of the Wild's two third-rounders in 2026.

Pittsburgh Penguins

This one is a long shot given the Penguins' early-season struggles and salary-cap limitations. Nevertheless, we can't dismiss the possibility they become buyers if they're in playoff contention by March 7.

The opportunity to reunite Marchand with his 2016 World Cup of Hockey linemate and offseason training partner Sidney Crosby may be too tempting to pass up. They could also have him line up at left wing alongside Evgeni Malkin on their second line.

Where it gets tricky is in trade-deadline cap space. The Penguins have $420,764 available, meaning general manager Kyle Dubas would have to get creative to add Marchand. That could mean involving a third team to spread the cap hit around or a separate cost-cutting move to free up sufficient room for the Bruins winger.

Boston could seek the Penguins' first-rounder in 2025 or 2026 as part of the return. It could also ask for a promising prospect such as defenseman Owen Pickering or a forward like Ville Koivunen or Vasily Ponomarev.

Vegas Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights aren't afraid to make big trades to ice a Stanley Cup contender. That was clear leading up to last season's trade deadline, when they acquired defenseman Noah Hanifin and center Tomáš Hertl in two of last year's biggest moves.

It wouldn't be surprising if the Golden Knights got into the bidding for Marchand if he became available by March 7. They could use an established scoring left winger with leadership skills and championship experience on their second line alongside Hertl and right wing Pavel Dorofeyev.

The Golden Knights don't have much cap space but could accrue $5.6 million by the trade deadline. That could give them sufficient wiggle room to acquire Marchand's remaining daily cap hit. They could also ask the Bruins to retain part of his cap hit (depending on the return) or swing a three-team trade to spread the cap hit around.

It could cost the Golden Knights a couple of draft picks (including their 2027 first-rounder) and a quality prospect such as Trevor Connelly or a promising player like Kaedan Korczak to land Marchand.

However, they won't be afraid to sacrifice their future for a player who can help them right away and may even try to re-sign Marchand after this season.

Stats via NHL.com. salary info via PuckPedia, and line combinations via Daily Faceoff.