(Photo courtesy of Ideastram) “Marchand’s release from the Bruins has been met with much controversy.”
Jake Messer
Connector Editor
On March 7, an era of Boston Bruins hockey came to an end when General Manager Don Sweeney traded team captain Brad Marchand to the Florida Panthers for a conditional second-round pick in 2027.
Hoovering around .500, unable to gain traction, the Boston Bruins were stuck in the mud this season. As a result, Sweeney made the tough decision to sell off key players at the NHL Trade Deadline, one of which included the 16-year veteran winger Brad Marchand.
Marchand, who was in the last year of his contract with the Bruins, was eager to resign with the team, finishing his career where it started in Boston. However, a deal could not be reached, as the two sides couldn’t meet in the middle in regards to annual salary.
“Deep down, we had been talking really from day two of free agency in terms of what his intentions were and where we were at,” Sweeney said. “That’s the decision that was made. Then we had to make a really, really difficult decision to say, well, let’s give Brad another opportunity (to win a Stanley Cup) with a really good team. Then he can make his decision what he thinks is best moving forward (after the season).”
However, with the Bruins teetering on the edge of the playoffs, sitting with a record of 28-27-9 before the deadline, the decision was ultimately made to pull the plug in the eyes of Sweeney. He believed that the team, in its current state, wasn’t able to win the Stanley Cup, and thus, Marchand was dealt.
“Once the gap was there that he wasn’t going to sign, we could have taken the time in between now and then,” Sweeney said. “Maybe it changes. But the time leading up to it hadn’t, and that’s where the tipping point says I have to do what’s best for the organization.”
Many fans are upset that the team just didn’t want to play ball with the face of the franchise, and they have voiced their displeasure over the lack of effort and compromise the team showed in contract negotiations.
Marchand himself was also disappointed that a deal wasn’t reached, as he would go on to discuss in his introductory press conference with the Florida Panthers.
“It was very disappointing that things didn’t get done just because (of money),” Marchand said. “Obviously, I love the organization, I wanted to stay there.”
Marchand, who is currently sidelined with an upper-body injury, will sorely be missed in Boston. His 422 career goals is the fourth most by a player in Bruins history, while his 554 assists are the most in franchise history. One day, his number will undoubtedly hang in the Garden rafters.
The Marchand trade was the biggest move the Bruins made during the deadline, but it wasn’t the only trade they made.
The Bruins dealt defenseman Brandon Carlo to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 2026 first-round pick and center Fraser Minten. They also dealt center Charlie Coyle to the Colorado Avalanche for center Casey Mittlelstadt, winger William Zellers, and a 2025 second-round pick.
In addition, the team also sent center Trent Frederic to the Edmonton Oilers as part of a three-team deal. In return, the Bruins will get defenseman Max Wanner, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick.
Rounding up the major trades, the team traded winger Justin Brazeau to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for centers Forwards Marat Khusnutdinov and Jakub Lauko.
Since the deadline has passed, the Bruins are 2-4 and are sitting 5 points out of a wildcard spot, making it extremely unlikely the team will make the playoffs this season.
With the franchise in a weird state of competing, with players like defenseman Charlie McAvoy and winger David Pastrnak still on the roster, and while rebuilding by selling off players, it does not bode well for the future.
Teams that try to do both tend to fail and end up stuck in mediocrity; just look at the Boston Red Sox from 2019 to 2024. Too good for a top draft pick but not good enough for the playoffs.
The Boston Bruins need to make a decision: retool into a playoff team this offseason, or blow up the entire team and begin rebuilding from the bottom up. Mediocrity means no plan, mediocrity means contentment from ownership, and most importantly, mediocrity means a barren Garden on hockey nights in Boston.
