NHL News: Joe Sacco sends strong statement after Bruins' win vs Brad Marchand's Panthers

Last week’s trade deadline saw the Boston Bruins part with a lot of talent. Brandon Carlo went to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Charlie Coyle to the Colorado Avalanche, Trent Frederic to the Edmonton Oilers, Justin Brazeau to the Minnesota Wild, and most notably, star Brad Marchand was traded to the Florida Panthers, where he will be joined for the 2024-25 NHL season.

It seemed as if the Bruins would enter an inexorable rebuilding phase after their roster was decimated. Marchand’s departure poses a huge challenge for a team looking to reverse its current momentum. The game against the Panthers, who were without their new star backup but had Sam Bennett as their star player after Matthew Tkachuk’s injury, was a crucial test of Boston’s confidence.

The 3-2 win over the Panthers left Boston just 2 points off the second wild card. Their chances of making the playoffs have not disappeared after two straight wins. Interim head coach Joe Sacco responded to the Bruins’ momentum despite Marchand’s absence.

Joe Sacco’s message on the Bruins’ present

“We understand what just transpired with our group. We have new players here. It’s an opportunity for these guys. Whatever motivates them, if it’s the underdog role, taking that on, if it’s, ‘I have an opportunity here maybe that I did not have before somewhere else,'” Sacco declared after the win over Marchand’s Panthers, according to NHL.com.

Brad Marchand #63 of Team Canada arrives for the game against Team USA at the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts..

“What I’m trying to do and we’re trying to do as a staff is, we want to see us come together as a team as quickly as we can. I think that produces winning hockey,” he said. The Boston franchise showed amazing fortitude after trailing 0-2 on the TD Garden ice.

see also

NHL News: Bruins coach Joe Sacco gets real after heartbreaking loss to Hurricanes

When will Brad Marchand play again?

Marchand has not been able to make his debut in Florida as he is still recovering from an upper-body injury. He is expected to return to the ice in the coming days. The Panthers have stated that his status is week-to-week.