The Florida Panthers want Brad Marchand back, but they've almost run out of time.
NHL free agency opens on July 1.
If Marchand reaches the open market, he'll have suitors.
According to TSN's Darren Dreger, three teams will form the main competition trying to keep Marchand from returning to Florida: the Boston Bruins, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Utah Mammoth.
Boston traded its legend away at the deadline rather than meet any extension demands, which allowed Marchand to be a hero in the postseason and help the Panthers hoist the Stanley Cup.
Toronto would be a chance to play in Canada for the Canadian native. The Maple Leafs are also looking at a big need for a replacement for Mitch Marner.
MORE: The reason Mitch Marner doesn't want to return to the Maple Leafs
The Mammoth are just trying to make their mark in their second season in Utah. They have a lot of cap space to work with.
Even if Marchand gets to free agency, he could still return to Florida if the other offers don't intrigue him enough.
But the Panthers are definitely no sure thing to maintain a guy who was so key to them defending their championship.
MORE NHL NEWS:
- Why state tax matters in Mitch Marner's free agency
- Ducks draft pick Roger McQueen got to meet Lightning McQueen
- Panthers GM reveals harrowing Brad Marchand, Aaron Ekblad reality
- The Golden Knights are looking at a salary cap problem