Brad Marchand carries certain regrets about his departure from the Boston Bruins – the organization that drafted him, celebrated a Stanley Cup victory with him in 2011, and entrusted him with the captaincy for his final two seasons following Patrice Bergeron`s retirement. He had long envisioned a career spent entirely with one team, a rare feat for established veterans in a league known for its player movement.
Marchand particularly laments not having the opportunity to bid a proper farewell to the Boston fanbase before the NHL trade deadline. “I suffered an injury just before I was traded. That last game I played in a Bruins jersey wasn`t how I envisioned my final game with the team,” he shared.
His last appearance at home in Boston was a defeat against the New York Islanders on February 27. The ultimate game he played for the Bruins took place on March 3 in Pittsburgh. He was subsequently traded to the Florida Panthers on March 7, a move prompted by contract negotiation challenges with Boston management and the team`s strategic shift towards a rebuild. During his initial public address as a Panther, he visibly fought back emotions. “Ultimately, I understand that this is a business, and every player has a limited time,” he stated. “I am profoundly grateful for everything that organization did for me.”
Marchand also regrets not fully appreciating the numerous experiences he had while with the Bruins. “Coming to the rink can sometimes feel stressful. You start overthinking things. There`s this self-imposed pressure. You begin to stress about things that genuinely don`t warrant that level of worry,” he confessed. “I recognize now that there were moments I overlooked or failed to truly cherish because I was preoccupied with other anxieties.”
He offered an example, referencing the 2022-23 season when the Bruins achieved a record-breaking 135 points in the regular season. Yet, the Panthers stunned the league and launched their current dynasty by defeating Boston in a seven-game first-round series, ending the Bruins` season in a somber TD Garden. “We fully expected to reach the Stanley Cup Final that year. We believed we would win it all, only to be eliminated in the first round,” Marchand reflected. “Looking back at those times, you realize how we took all our accomplishments that season for granted, primarily because our focus was solely on reaching the Final. We weren`t truly present in the moment.”
These are lingering regrets for the revitalized Brad Marchand. The playoff disappointment, the separation from the Bruins, the trade – these events served as significant shocks that fundamentally altered his perspective. “I`m simply not going to put myself through that mental strain again,” he declared. “I arrive at the rink each day, focusing on enjoying myself, living in the present, and not taking anything overly seriously.”
Marchand`s introspection on mindfulness began to deepen upon his arrival in Florida. “My family isn`t here with me, which gives me significantly more time to be at home, to think, and to process things mentally than I`m accustomed to,” he explained. “Being here, people talk about staying in the moment. Taking things day by day. Finding time to reflect on experiences and truly appreciate them.”
Consequently, Marchand has resolved to fully embrace and enjoy the Panthers` current journey, which sees them back in the Stanley Cup Final, vying for a second consecutive championship against the Edmonton Oilers, whom they vanquished in Game 7 last season. “I`m literally just trying to have a good time out on the ice and enjoy the atmosphere in here,” he said, gesturing towards the dressing room. “The whole Dairy Queen situation is a perfect illustration of this.”
THE `DAIRY QUEEN THING` gained traction following an interview between Marchand and Sportsnet`s rinkside reporter Kyle Bukauskas. The reporter asked Marchand about a team trip to Dairy Queen during the Eastern Conference Final games in Raleigh. He then presented a video clip showing Marchand eating something with a spoon between periods of Florida`s Game 3 victory. Bukauskas humorously inquired if Marchand was “recharging with a Blizzard” in the locker room.
Marchand enthusiastically praised the chocolate chip cookie dough Blizzard, proclaiming it “the best dessert in the world,” and playfully pitched DQ`s PR department for a lifetime supply in exchange for the endorsement. “We had a little downtime on the off day. There was a DQ near the hotel. We stopped by and had a pleasant evening,” Marchand clarified.
This exchange quickly went viral, with many fans and media outlets interpreting it literally – believing Marchand had consumed ice cream during the intermission of a playoff game. His teammates were questioned about it, and Panthers coach Paul Maurice fielded inquiries on the topic during his press conferences.
Days later, Marchand was finally directly asked about eating ice cream in the locker room mid-game. “It wasn`t a Blizzard,” Marchand stated, his tone conveying the absurdity of the notion. “I was absolutely not eating a Blizzard during the middle of a game.” Marchand explained that in the Sportsnet interview, he was merely referencing the team`s off-day excursion to Dairy Queen. “I was referring to that visit. I was simply making a joke about our trip a couple of nights prior. Just playing along with it, and I think people took it seriously,” he said.
After the interview gained widespread attention, Marchand mentioned that his phone was flooded with messages from people claiming they were inspired by him to visit Dairy Queen. “I appreciate the support,” he remarked. “I enjoy a good Blizzard as much as anyone, but it`s not something I`ve ever had during a game.”
For many, the core of the “Dairy Queen” narrative wasn`t really about whether Marchand was literally scooping ice cream in his stall. It was more a testament to the star winger`s notoriously unpredictable character – the idea that he *could* plausibly be the type of player to enjoy Dairy Queen between periods. There`s an enduring image of the league`s most notorious agitator celebrating his on-ice mischief with spoonfuls of cookie dough ice cream during the break.
However, it wasn`t ice cream, cookie dough, or peanut butter. Marchand eventually revealed that the camera had captured him consuming “something healthy.” “It was honey. I was eating honey. It was a spoonful of honey.” Was it because he has a sweet side? “Because I`m a bear,” he quipped in response. Marchand shared that he has always had a fondness for honey. “Actually, when I was growing up, I was obsessed with Winnie the Pooh. I had a Winnie the Pooh doll, and I used to feed the bear honey. So it ended up completely covered in honey and would become rock hard,” he recalled. “I doubt my parents enjoyed cleaning up that mess. But I had fun.” Marchand paused for dramatic effect. “That`s just something we do in Halifax. We feed honey to teddy bears.” The comment drew laughter from the room.
It remains somewhat surreal to consider the starting point of Brad Marchand`s NHL career compared to where he finds himself today. When the Bruins secured the Stanley Cup in 2011, Marchand was a bold, 23-year-old winger whose developing offensive skills often took a backseat to his controversial actions on the ice. A notable instance was his treatment of Vancouver Canucks winger Daniel Sedin during Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, where he delivered approximately six punches to Sedin`s face without intervention from the on-ice officials. When questioned about why he continued hitting Sedin, Marchand`s infamous reply was, “Because I felt like it.”
He was also the player who famously got a tattoo with a misspelling after the Bruins` Cup win. “Let me clarify something. After we won, a bunch of us got tattoos right here in the dressing room at the Garden. Mine initially had a mistake,” he wrote in an ESPN player diary. “Instead of saying `Stanley Cup Champions,` it actually said `Stanley Cup Champians.` I honestly don`t know how that occurred.” (The error was corrected before the following season.)
He became known as a player who accumulated suspensions, receiving six from the NHL between 2011 and 2018 for illegal plays, and even getting a six-game ban as recently as 2022. His reputation as a provocateur was as strong as his skill as a goal-scorer.
Yet, in 2025, Marchand is described as an “elder statesman” for Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off, according to coach Jon Cooper. “I love him. I can`t speak highly enough about his energy and passion. He seems to tap into a fountain of youth whenever he joins one of these tournaments. He`s one of the individuals everyone looks to when the pressure is on,” Cooper commented. “The loudest voice on the bench, motivating everyone, is Brad Marchand. For someone who`s been in the league as long as he has, he truly doesn`t need to do that.”
That persistent energy is one of the qualities Maurice appreciates most about Marchand. “He`s such a distinct personality. He possesses the same level of intensity at breakfast as he does at game time,” the coach observed.
Maurice recounted GM Bill Zito informing him that the Panthers would acquire Matthew Tkachuk in 2022, a move he initially found hard to believe possible. He had a similar reaction when Zito mentioned last summer that Chicago defenseman Seth Jones might be available. However, when Zito discussed Marchand, Maurice knew the possibility was real. “If he says it, then it`s something that could genuinely happen,” Maurice noted.
Truthfully, Maurice didn`t believe the Panthers had a “significant vacancy” in their roster for Marchand to fill. He also had concerns about how a 37-year-old veteran would integrate into a squad that was largely unchanged from the one that had just won the Stanley Cup the previous season. Two of Marchand`s former Bruins teammates, Shawn Thornton (Chief Revenue Officer) and Gregory Campbell (Assistant General Manager), now work in the Panthers` front office. They assured Maurice that Marchand would be an ideal fit for the Panthers` culture. “There are countless stories of bringing high-caliber players in the later stages of their careers, and it simply doesn`t work or fit. But they were convinced,” the coach recalled.
Upon Marchand`s arrival with the Panthers, Maurice quickly grasped why he was the right fit – both on the ice and off. “His personality helped alleviate some pressure from the other players. In fact, I have more introverted guys than outspoken ones. Everyone knows that Aleksander Barkov isn`t likely to start a podcast once he retires,” Maurice joked. “It was like they thought, `Okay, Marchy`s here, he can handle all the talking, and we can just relax.`” The Panthers had lost some of their vocal players from the previous season, like forward Ryan Lomberg and defenseman Brandon Montour, who departed via free agency. “Some of those guys would begin talking in their cars and wouldn`t stop until they left the rink. They just kept going constantly,” Maurice recalled. “It was beneficial to regain that dynamic element that we had somewhat lost. He`s brought it back.”
Through the years, Marchand has also honed his ability to exercise restraint when interacting with the media. A notable instance occurred when Carolina defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere intentionally shot the puck towards Marchand in Game 1 of the conference finals, resulting in Marchand receiving a misconduct penalty. When reporters asked Marchand for his thoughts on the incident, he coolly replied: “Yeah, I`m not much of a thinker.” Maurice acknowledged that moment during his own press conference later that day. “He provides excellent interviews. He is exceptionally bright, even though I`ve heard he`s a man of limited thoughts,” he said, prompting laughter. “That`s a great line. I plan on using it myself.”
ON THE ICE, Marchand has predominantly been deployed alongside center Anton Lundell, aged 23, and winger Eetu Luostarinen, aged 26, forming one of the most effective lines for the Panthers during their playoff push. Across 17 games played together, this line has accounted for 55% of shot attempts at 5-on-5, 56% of expected goals, and boasts a rate of 4.2 goals scored per 60 minutes while allowing only 0.82 goals against per 60 minutes.
Maurice spoke glowingly about Marchand`s impact on “what he has accomplished with those two young players” on Florida`s third line. “The way they have expanded their game, the way they perform… part of that development comes from playing alongside him,” he stated. Marchand has accumulated 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in the playoffs. Luostarinen has contributed 13 points (four goals, nine assists), while Lundell has added 12 points (five goals, seven assists).
Marchand offered high praise for Luostarinen. “He plays with the physicality of a seasoned player. He competes effectively through traffic. He`s tenacious on the puck and wins a significant number of battles,” Marchand described. “He is exceptionally skilled. He handles the puck wonderfully. He doesn`t force plays unnecessarily. He demonstrates a very intelligent approach to the game.” Marchand then bestowed upon Luostarinen perhaps the highest compliment he could offer: He reminds Marchand of Patrice Bergeron, his longtime teammate with the Bruins and a six-time Selke Trophy winner. “He is remarkably strong defensively with his stickwork. It strongly brings back memories of Bergy, how he actively uses his stick, disrupts many plays effectively, and generates offense from those defensive efforts,” Marchand explained.
Marchand said he finds playing with his Panthers linemates enjoyable because they share a similar “simple, direct” style of play. “We simply complement each other effectively across the ice because we possess a good understanding of the game in both offensive and defensive zones. We provide excellent support for one another, transitioning up and down the ice and competing in the corners,” he said. “Due to this synergy, I believe we are capable of creating offensive opportunities from unlikely situations, even out of small battles.” He added that skating alongside Lundell and Luostarinen has provided him with a sense of revitalization. “They play with speed and intensity; they are young, energetic guys. It makes me feel youthful,” Marchand stated. “I`m probably deceiving myself a bit. I feel like I`m 25 again. I feel rejuvenated, and that feeling is partly attributable to playing with some younger teammates and being part of a truly exceptional group of individuals here.”
Marchand didn`t always perceive his current teammates as “good guys.” Certainly not when Matthew Tkachuk was a thorn in the side of his Bruins during the 2023 and 2024 playoff series. “He is a fierce competitor. His sole purpose is to win. His reputation certainly precedes him,” Marchand said of Tkachuk. “He`s one of the most naturally gifted players in the league when operating around the net. He brings an element to the team that instills confidence and swagger in the other players.” Someone posed the question of what opponents might think about facing Florida with two renowned provocateurs like Marchand and Tkachuk on the ice. “Primarily, I feel a sense of sympathy for the players in our own dressing room,” Marchand quipped regarding himself and Tkachuk. “Not many opponents are going to find much relief now. It`s undoubtedly preferable to be playing on his side rather than competing against him.”
Then there is Sam Bennett, who appeared to deliver a sucker punch to Marchand during the Panthers` playoff series victory over the Bruins in 2024. That incident sidelined Marchand for two games in the series and resulted in no further disciplinary action for Bennett. By the trade deadline in 2025, they had become teammates. “I didn`t carry a grudge. Again, I understand the dynamics of this game. I`ve played the game in a similar manner myself,” Marchand said. “It`s something we joke about frequently. I can laugh it off easily. I make jokes about it constantly, probably more than he does, but I definitely tease him about it.”
Maurice explained that there`s a fundamental reason why hockey players who were once fierce adversaries can transition into teammates with minimal animosity. “I think what you discover when a player joins your room, even if they`ve been involved in significant battles, is how genuinely happy they are that those confrontations are over. They no longer have to compete directly against you. They don`t have to engage in hacking and whacking in the corners for sixty minutes,” Maurice observed. “Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett are now the best of friends. Just a year ago, it would have been unimaginable that such a relationship could develop.”
Indeed, just a year ago, the prospect of Brad Marchand joining the Florida Panthers seemed improbable to many. Yet, in hindsight, it makes perfect sense: the self-proclaimed “Rat King” aligning himself with a franchise whose victory celebration involves scattering plastic rats onto the ice.
In fact, Marchand has fully embraced and become a part of this distinctive tradition. Following Florida`s wins, whenever plastic rats are on the ice, his teammates have taken to playfully shooting the faux rodents in Marchand`s direction as they head off towards the dressing room. “They see my family out there on the ice and simply want us all to be reunited,” Marchand deadpanned.
As the playoffs have progressed, Marchand noted with mock exasperation, “now they`re actually aiming to cause discomfort.” He added, “Matthew Tkachuk managed to hit me with one during the last game that I genuinely felt the impact.” Marchand is currently experiencing a wide range of emotions. The initial sting of the trade is gradually fading with each playoff triumph. He is finding more enjoyment and experiencing less stress, having quickly forged strong bonds with his new teammates. And he stands just a few victories away from securing another Stanley Cup, participating in his third Final appearance since winning his first ring 14 years ago.
“It`s incredibly exciting. You work and hope to reach this stage. Naturally, we have an exceptional team, and we`ve performed very well up to this point. We`ve arrived at the position we aimed for, but we haven`t achieved the ultimate goal yet,” Marchand stated. “It`s possible I may never again reach this late stage of the playoffs in my entire career. These are the kind of memories and moments that you absolutely want to cherish and fully embrace.”
