NHL News: Brad Marchand sends emotional message to Bruins ahead of return to Boston with Panthers

Life is full of ironies, and Brad Marchand flying to Sunrise only to return to Massachusetts as the Florida Panthers face the Boston Bruins is a perfect example of it. It will also be a full-circle moment for the 36-year-old veteran in the NHL. After being introduced as the newest Florida Panther, Marchand sent the fans, former teammates, and the whole organization back in Beantown a special message.

Not many could’ve ever imagined Marchand donning anything other than the ‘Spoked B’, let alone being traded to a franchise that’s clashed with him in countless epic battles over recent years. If you can’t beat them, join them—that seems to be the message behind the move.

Although Marchand made it clear he wished to stay with the Bruins, and the front office opted to trade him, the veteran forward admitted he only wanted to play for the reigning NHL champions outside of Boston.

Marchand’s addition could be the pivotal move for the Cats to secure a back-to-back Stanley Cup championship, but the playoffs are still a way ahead. Instead, there is a big, immediate challenge, as the Panthers must take on the Bruins on the road.

Boston Bruins center Brad Marchand (63) skates during the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Boston Bruins on May 3, 2021 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

Though Marchand won’t be available to play due to his upper-body injury, he will travel with the team to walk into TD Garden as a visitor for the first time in his career.

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“It’s bittersweet,” Marchand admitted,via the Florida Panthers on NHL.com. “It’ll be great to go home, and the guys were all on the road when I got traded, so I didn’t see a lot of the guys before I left. It’ll be nice to be able to see guys and kind of say goodbye. It’ll be very. weird to be there as an opposing team. I guess it’s nice, but it’ll be a bit sad, too“

Similar, yet different

Marchand has been through a similar situation earlier this year during the 4 Nations. As Team Canada took on Team USA in the Championship Game at TD Garden, Marchand experienced the hostility of the home crowd in Boston, though it was in a very different context.

Now, though he won’t participate in the game, Marchand will witness as his new teammates battle it out against his former teammates in what’s sure to be a very emotional duel.

Brad Marchand #63 of Team Canada skates with their championship medal after defeating Team United States in overtime to win the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Injury timeline

While his timeline is still unclear, Marchand admitted he’s been “feeling better every day”, and could even return to the ice during tomorrow’s morning skate in Boston. However, when he’ll be able to participate in a game seems to be further down the road.

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During an interview with NHL on TNT’s crew, GM Bill Zito mentioned that Marchand had met with the team doctors and a timeline should be announced soon, though no official assessment has been made yet.