Brad Marchand Shuts Down Return to Boston, Reportedly Signing With Eastern Conference Longtime Rival
Photo credit: Florida Panthers social media
Will the Boston Bruins and Brad Marchand reconvene in the summer to sign a new deal after his stint in Florida is through? It doesn't seem like it, and how he's reportedly signing in Canada.
It appears that Brad Marchand and the Boston Bruins may be done, as they failed to agree on a new contract. The result would lead to him being traded to the Stanley Cup-contending Florida Panthers.
In his new digs, reporters would ask Marchand if a return to the team that drafted him and won a Stanley Cup with would be in the cards.
"It was very disappointing that things didn't get done," admitted Marchand his voice cracking with pain. "Obviously I love the organization and I wanted to stay there."
The Bruins would balk at Marchand's contract demands and would honor his request to be traded to the Panthers.
All the while, Spiittin' Chiclets Paul Bissonnette detailed how the interaction between Marchand and Sweeney happened.
"The offer (from the Bruins) was exactly what he's making now for three years. $6.3 (million) times three (years).
And Marchand's camp wanted $7.5 million. Marchand had a meeting with Don Sweeney and he said, 'I love it here, I've been a Bruin my entire career and I'm willing to meet you guys in the middle.'
And they wouldn't come up on their offer. I thought that that was insane. You wouldn't give Brad Marchand the same amount that you gave Lindholm!?"
- Paul Bissonnette
And Marchand's camp wanted $7.5 million. Marchand had a meeting with Don Sweeney and he said, 'I love it here, I've been a Bruin my entire career and I'm willing to meet you guys in the middle.'
And they wouldn't come up on their offer. I thought that that was insane. You wouldn't give Brad Marchand the same amount that you gave Lindholm!?"
- Paul Bissonnette
A slap in the face if we've ever seen it, especially from someone who's taken a team-friendly contract before.
Instead of rewarding Brad Marchand for all his hard work to keep the team competitive, Sweeney would instead opt to trade Marchand.
It's understandable to see why he'd rather not return to the Bruins. His next goal may be to head north in July.
When asked if he would consider returning to Boston as a free agent, Marchand had a simple answer: "I don't know."
"The one thing I always respect is that they have a job to do and they have to make the best decisions for the team," admitted Marchand. "Sometimes they work against you but that's why I believe that Sweens is one of, if not, the best general manager in the league.
Instead of sounding bitter, he'd remain humble about the whole situation and would forego blaming Don Sweeney and Cam Neely for how it all played out.
What would be a spicier end to the season is if we see him make a move to Montreal, as NHL Insider John Buccigross has reported.
According to NHL Insider John Buccigross Marchand could end up signing with the Bruins' rival Montreal Canadiens in the summer, should he decide not to return to TD Garden after all of this.
That move would ultimately anger the majority of Bruins fans for life, but would provide an electric atmosphere in TD Garden every time they met up.
| POLL | ||
MARS 12 | 672 ANSWERS Brad Marchand Shuts Down Return to Boston, Reportedly Signing With Eastern Conference Longtime Rival Do you think forward Brad Marchand of the Florida Panthers will sign with the Montreal Canadiens in July? | ||
| Yes | 250 | 37.2 % |
| No | 422 | 62.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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