NHL News: Brad Marchand’s Candid Take on Leaving Bruins for Panthers Glory
Brad Marchand opens up about his exit from the Boston Bruins and contract frustrations as he leads the Florida Panthers to the 2025 Stanley Cup Final.
In a surprising twist that rocked the hockey world earlier this season, veteran winger Brad Marchand departed from the Boston Bruins—his longtime team and emotional home—to join the Florida Panthers. Now, with Marchand helping lead the Panthers to the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, the 36-year-old forward is speaking openly about the decision to leave Boston, the frustration that built up behind closed doors, and his new chapter in South Florida.
“This wasn’t the way I saw things going,” Marchand admitted during a post-practice media scrum ahead of Game 1 of the Final. “I always imagined finishing my career in Boston. I bled black and gold for 15 years. But hockey’s a business, and sometimes things don’t unfold the way you want them to.”
Marchand’s departure from the Bruins came amid stalled contract extension talks last offseason. Though he still had one year remaining, internal sources say the veteran forward was seeking a two-year deal to finish out his career with stability. The Bruins, in the midst of a retooling phase, reportedly offered just a one-year extension at a reduced rate.
“There wasn’t disrespect, but I felt undervalued,” Marchand said. “I gave everything to that city, to that team. When they hesitated to commit to me, it hurt.”
The Panthers, by contrast, made Marchand feel wanted immediately. General Manager Bill Zito reached out early in free agency, offering a two-year, $9 million deal along with a clear role in the team’s leadership core. Marchand didn’t hesitate.
“From the first call, Florida showed belief in me—not just as a player, but as someone who could help them get over the hump,” he said. “That meant everything.”
Marchand’s impact has been immediate. In 18 playoff games, he’s tallied 7 goals and 12 assists, including a pair of game-winners. His veteran presence has helped balance the Panthers’ explosive top lines, and his gritty edge has given Florida the kind of bite that’s vital in deep postseason runs.
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice praised Marchand’s influence: “He’s been everything we hoped for—and more. The intensity, the compete level, the leadership. Our young guys watch him and learn what it means to play playoff hockey.”
As Marchand prepares to chase his second Stanley Cup—his first since 2011—he says he has no regrets.
“Leaving Boston was one of the hardest decisions of my life. But I’ve found new purpose here,” Marchand said. “And lifting that Cup again? That would mean just as much—maybe more—because of the journey it took to get here.”
With the Panthers just four wins away from glory, Marchand’s bet on himself may be on the verge of paying off in the most spectacular fashion.
