By Joe Haggerty
CSNNE.com Bruins InsiderFollow @hackswithhaggs
WILMINGTONA couple of days ago a source with knowledge of the Brad Marchand negotiations said the two sides werent that far apart, and today the deal was finalized.
The Bruins announced on Wednesday that they re-signed Marchand, who was a restricted free agent, to a two-year deal worth 5 million. The deal will pay Marchand 2 million for the 2011-12 season and 3 million for the 2012-13 campaign after which he will again become a restricted free agent. Sources have indicated to CSNNE.com that Marchand's camp was pushing for a longer deal, but rejected a three-year, 6.5 million offer from the Bruins before eventually reaching accord on a two-year pact.
Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli and agent Wade Arnott have held an ongoing dialogue this summer over Marchands contract status, and it once appeared that the contract talks for the Ken Linseman clone might drag into training camp.
Instead the talks picked up steam once Marchand reported to Boston to attend a string of captains practices with his teammates at Ristuccia Arena, and the 20 goal scorer now has a new deal before the Bruins begin practices. Marchand never wavered in his desire to remain in Boston as a member of the Bruins, and the deal means that the dynamic duo of Marchand and Patrice Bergeron should be skating together for at least two more years.
Joe Haggerty can be reached at jhaggerty@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Joe on Twitter at http:twitter.comHackswithHaggs