Brad Marchand of Boston Bruins looking on. Brad Marchand (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
As crazy as it sounds, and as much as Boston Bruins fans don’t want to hear it, GM Don Sweeney should consider trading Brad Marchand if the play doesn’t improve in the coming weeks.

Brad Marchand is in the final year of his contract and could hit free agency for the first time in his career next July if the 2011 Stanley Cup champion wishes to do so. Last week, Marchand said that a report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman about an extension with the Bruins being close was “false.”

If Marchand and the Bruins focus on sentiments only, he’ll sign an extension. If both sides want to make the right business decision, however, Marchand will be traded before the Mar. 7 deadline.

The Bruins are off to a disappointing 4-5-1 start and look nothing like contenders in a much improved Atlantic Division. Marchand is also off to a slow start with just one goal and five assists in 10 games.

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If the Bruins and Marchand agree to a split, one team especially stands out as a landing spot for the 36-year-old. That would be the Dallas Stars, who still feel like a piece away from a Stanley Cup after losing back-to-back Western Conference Finals.

The Stars are loaded with star power. Namely, goalie Jake Oettinger, forwards Roope Hintz, Matt Duchene, Jason Robertson, Tyler Seguin, Wyatt Johnson, and defenseman Miro Heiskanen.

Now imagine if head coach Pete DeBoer and company had a dynamic two-way forward and proven playoff performer (138 points in 157 postseason games) in Marchand to help them get over the top.

What Stars Should Offer Bruins For Brad Marchand

Given Marchand’s age, declining production and status as a pending free agent, a fair price would be forward Mason Marchment (22 goals and 53 points last season), a 2025 first-round pick and defenseman prospect Christian Kyrou.

This is a big step forward for the Bruins in beginning a retooling phase, while the Stars get a clutch playoff performer and Stanley Cup champion to bolster their chances of winning it all in 2025.