Original Six Team Linked to Brad Marchand by Analyst

Brad Marchand may have a different jersey on, but he is still the same impact player. In Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, the veteran winger made the difference for the Florida Panthers in their 5-4 double-overtime win over the Edmonton Oilers.

Marchand tallied two goals, one shorthanded, and the second in double OT, to tie the series 1-1. As George Richards of 'Florida Hockey Now' pointed out, the Panthers' trade deadline pickup is proving to be a game-changer.

Marchand is an unrestricted free agent this summer. While Florida will probably try to re-sign him, the club has other key players like Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad to contend with. Not everyone may stay even with the rising salary cap.

Enter the Detroit Red Wings. With over $21 million of cap space, they have the ability to pursue impact players. Kevin Allen of 'Detroit Hockey Now' recently mentioned Marchand as a possibility.

While Detroit's top six already includes smaller forwards like Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat, Marchand's physicality and leadership could be a different kind of fit. Marchand aside, the Red Wings have been in the news a lot lately.

Club legend Pavel Datsyuk was recently inducted into another Hall of Fame, and former bench boss Derek Lalonde has landed a new gig, though not with his old team in Detroit, but as an assistant coach with the rival Toronto Maple Leafs.

Detroit isn't going to be doing any rush buyouts, but there's some speculation that they'd be open to moving on from Justin Holl, who has one year left on his deal.

Freeing up cap space could be another indication that they intend to pursue Marchand.