NHL Rumors: Insider predicts Steven Stamkos contract standoff akin to Brad Marchand's dispute with Bruins

Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand is in the final season of an eight-year, $49 million contract signed in Sept. 2016. The pending unrestricted free agent does not appear to be close to an extension to stay in Boston, which creates more speculation with each passing day.

Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos released the second edition of his "Real Kyper's Trade Board" on Wednesday morning, and the 36-year-old was listed under intriguing names to watch.

Kypreos compared Marchand's contract standoff to last season's negotiations between the Tampa Bay Lightning and longtime captain Steven Stamkos. We all know that those talks led to Stamkos leaving his forever home for the Nashville Predators in free agency.

"The sense is the Bruins won't mess around with Marchand's future and they are saying all the right things that make it seem likely they'll re-sign him," Kypreos said. "But some people in the organization think Marchand should be on a year-to-year contract as he'll turn 37 this spring."

"It's notable that Marchand is represented by the same agency (Newport) as Steven Stamkos, who refused to take less value to stay in Tampa Bay and ended up signing elsewhere. Don't expect Marchand to take less value than he feels he's worth either," Kypreos continued.

"Though this is still heading towards an amicable resolution, if Boston's hold on a playoff spot keeps loosening, Marchand will more and more become a situation of great interest. Until we hear about more firm negotiations between Marchand and the Bruins, he remains on this list," Kypreos added.

Brad Marchand and the Bruins' situation is strikingly similar to Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning's breakup from last offseason. It will be fascinating to follow how it all shakes out.

Brad Marchand is having a down season statistically

In his 16th NHL season, age appears to be catching up to Brad Marchand. While he remains quite productive having recorded 35 points (16 goals, 19 assists) in 46 games, it's not up to his usual standards. His current 62-point full-season pace would be his lowest total since the 2015-16 season.

Marchand has only eight power-play points (two goals, six assists) this season, a big reason why the Bruins have the 30th-ranked power-play in the NHL, clicking at just 13%.

Boston needs their captain to step up in order to hold down a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Marchand's Bruins are next in action on Saturday afternoon in Ottawa to face the Senators. The puck drops at 3 p.m. EST at the Canadian Tire Centre.