Brad Marchand will not spend his entire NHL career with the Boston Bruins, a surprise to many. The 36-year-old has been traded to the Florida Panthers. Details came across the waiver wire late into Friday’s deadline evening. However, they came in and they are about what you would expect. The only real downside is the lack of advantage a Panther pick would tend to garner you. First of all, Florida 50% retains on Marchand’s salary. Also, the pick is either a first or second rounder, depending if Marchand plays enough this season or not. If he plays in the playoffs, he must appear in a quarter of their playoff games. It is hard to take for Bruin fans who are firmly in a retool but at least it gives the legend a shot at the Stanley Cup this year.
Sweeney didn’t mention this in his presser (and wasn’t asked if there was retention).
So that makes it:
FLA gets:
Marchand (50% retained)BOS gets:
2027 conditional 2nd (becomes 1st if Marchand plays in 25% of FLA’s games in 1st+2nd rds. of 2025 playoffs). https://t.co/4jtxjWExXc— Matt Porter (@mattyports) March 7, 2025
Boston Bruins Trade Brad Marchand
Marchand’s contract was set to expire after this season. While it at one time seemed it was unlikely the Bruins would let their captain walk, the time came for the team to seek assets to avoid losing him in free agency and getting nothing in return.
Marchand is not the first Bruins forward to be traded this week. Trent Frederic was traded on Tuesday to the Oilers.
Marchand’s Career Has Had Highs, Lows, And Controversy
Marchand’s first full season in 2010-11 could not have gone any better for the Bruins and for Marchand. The youngster continuously proved at the NHL level, resulting in promotions from the fourth line all the way up to the first line. In 25 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Marchand scored 11 goals and recorded eight assists. In Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final, Marchand scored two goals and added an assist. Marchand’s performance helped the Bruins win the Stanley Cup.
The following three seasons saw Marchand post good numbers, but he also had inconsistent streaks. An elbow injury and a divided locker room stalled Marchand and the Bruins for repeating their 2011 success.
Marchand received an eight-year extension prior to the 2016-17 season. After a career-best season, Marchand looked to build upon that in 2017-18.
The Pest
The 2017-18 season saw Marchand develop the reputation of being a “pest” on the ice. Marchand received his first suspension in January 0f 2018 for an illegal hit to the head.
Marchand’s on-ice antics intensified in that season’s playoffs. After various incidents involving Marchand licking the faces of opponents in post-play scuffles, the NHL informed Marchand and the Bruins that disciplinary action would be taken if it continued.
2019-Present; Becoming The Captain
Marchand’s antics decreased after the 2018 playoffs. Instead, Marchand continued to be a force on offence, scoring 36 goals in 2018-19. However, Marchand struggled once the Bruins reached the Stanley Cup Final, scoring just two goals in seven games. In Game 7, Marchand went to the bench too early late in the first period, allowing more ice for Alex Pietrangelo to score the eventual series-winning goal.
Marchand would continue to have success on offence in the following seasons. However, the Bruins failed to succeed in the playoffs. The most heartbreaking loss for the Bruins would be losing a 3-1 series lead in the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Marchand’s dedication to the Bruins was awarded. After many seasons playing under captains Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron, Marchand was named the Bruins captain.
New Team
Marchand brings offensive skill and Stanley Cup experience to his new team. He may be 36 years old, but Marchand is still capable of capitalizing on chances in the offensive zone.
His absence will certainly be felt in the Bruins locker room. On the other hand, his presence will be felt with the defending Stanley Cup Champions. The other Bruins trades for the day included moving on from Brandon Carlo and Charlie Coyle. Henri Jokiharju and Casey Mittelstadt are coming back in a pretty even exchange and a clear shift in direction for the Bruin fanbase to consider.
Main Photo: Brian Fluharty- Imagn Images
