I dont think so. It will be put to him in the 6s and it will be said in order to bring in a stud Dman to take over from Chara we need cap flexibility, whatever money that can be agreed upon around figure X would help us get towards a cup. I know hockey players aren't dumb and its their big time contract, but I don't think Marshy is the type to demand the biggest contract on the team that will disadvantage Boston from getting to a cup earlier. I can see him signing for between 6 and 6.5. I don't think he get's a 7.
Taking all that into account though, we as humans are greedy by nature, and money thrown into the fact makes people think differently. We'll see, but I am confident it will be below 7. I don't think he gets Tarasenko money.
Why not?
Marchand had only 3 less goals than Tarasenko (37 to 40) in 3 less games. Marchand's non-PP goal production was actually better (31 vs. 28).
Their goal numbers coming out of Tarasenko's break-out year which got him that big contract (2014-15), were almost identical to Marchand's goal numbers this season.
And this is with Marchand getting next to no PP time with the 1st group who most of the PP minutes.
Tarasenko may get more assists, once again partially as a result of PP time, but Marchand is the far superior defensive player.
And why would Marchand accept less to stay in Boston? Cap flexibility? Give me a break. He's been underpaid since signing his last extension at 4.5 million per. And this is his last big contract, unlike Tarasenko who probably has one more in him.
I'll use another comparable. Stamkos, who just got 8.5 per.
Marchand had more goals in the same amount (77) of games (37 vs. 36) and destroys Stamkos in non-PP goals by a 31 to 22 score. Now Stamkos, like Benn, has a more proven track record of high end production, so I'm not advocating for Marchand to get 8.0 or 8.5, but you can make the comparison.
He outscored Corey Perry last year whose bringing 8.625 million per.
Mr. 7.25 million himself Krejci only has 6 more goals in the past 3 seasons (43) than Marchand did all of last year (37). Yes he's been injured, but still those totals are pretty drastic.
I'd gladly give Marchand 7 years / 50 million (7.14 AAV) in a heart-beat. Anyone who thinks Marchand is going to get less than 7 AAV in today's marketplace needs to give their head a shake.