Last season, however, was truly a breakout year, as the 5-foot-9, 181-pound winger tallied a career-high 37 goals and 60 points in 77 games.
"Well I've had a real close vantage point…had a lot of great talks about understanding where the line was and as that type of player to cross it and get back over," Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney said during a press conference after Marchand's extension was announced late last month.
"He's grown up a lot and he considers, as I heard him say, Boston like his second home. He's got a family now. He's a leader; he wants to be part of our core group and be a leader on and off the ice."
Marchand acknowledged he may have left some money on the table by not hitting the open market after this season. But to him, it was not about the dollar figure, but rather the foundation he has built in Boston, the city he has come to admire so much.
"I think if you look at the things that matter most to the team and to myself, I wanted the term to be here," said Marchand, who is entering his eighth season with the Bruins.
"I wanted to be here as long as I can and play as long as I can. I don't think, at the end of the day, that I'm more concerned about the overall dollar value as I am about being a part of this team for a long time.
"Both sides know that we have a good thing going for the next number of years. I'm not disappointed by any means, I'm very, very excited - ecstatic - to have this contract and for them to put their faith in me and really prove that."