Just days after being traded to the Florida Panthers by the only NHL team he’s ever known, Brad Marchand would be forgiven for feeling bitter towards the Boston Bruins.
Dressed in an unfamiliar Panthers ball cap and red zip-up, he made it clear this wasn’t his choice.
“I love the organization. I wanted to stay there,” Marchand said during an emotional press conference with Florida reporters.
But his respect for Bruins GM Don Sweeney and president Cam Neely hasn’t wavered, regardless of the direction they ultimately chose at the NHL trade deadline.
“The one thing that I always respect — I told (Neely) and ‘Sweens’ this — is they have a job to do,” Marchand said. “They have to make the best decisions for the team. I completely understand where the decisions need to be made. Sometimes they work against you.”
Marchand grew into a centerpiece of the Bruins team that Sweeney inherited as GM in 2015, scoring more points (748) than all but eight NHLers since then.
“I’ve had an incredible run in that organization, and I’m extremely proud of how things went there,” Marchand said, apologizing as he paused to contain his emotions.
Although the Bruins never reached the heights of their 2011 Stanley Cup championship, they returned to the final in 2019 and strung together a historic run of consistent team excellence as Marchand evolved into one of the NHL’s best wingers.
But with the team on the outside of the playoff picture approaching the trade deadline, Sweeney moved to sell. He’s never been afraid to be aggressive as a buyer, and the same applied as a seller, moving on from veterans Brandon Carlo, Charlie Coyle, and of course, Marchand.
“That’s why I believe ‘Sweens’ is one of the best, if not the best, general managers in the league,” Marchand said. “I’ve watched him for a very long time excel at his job. For those who are in the organization and know the effort he puts in every day and how hard he works, no one would question where his loyalty lies, and that’s to do the best for the team every day. When you’re part of that group, you feel it.”
Perhaps Marchand’s classy response is a sign that a Boston reunion isn’t totally out of the realm of possibility. The 36-year-old’s eight-year, $49-million contract expires this summer, making him a UFA. When he hits the market, it seems like there will be no burned bridges between him and Sweeney.
“He did create this opportunity for me to be here,” Marchand said. “I am grateful beyond words for everything that organization has done for me.”
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