It’s been less than a month since Brad Marchand traded in his Bruins gear for the Florida Panthers kit and moved down into the Sunshine State. It seemed impossible for the Bruins to have traded their very own captain to the team that literally won the Stanley Cup the year prior, and yet they did, and there was even an X video shared of the moment Don Sweeney walked into the management room and announced the trade. The shock and gulps were palpable. Now, as Marchand settles into Florida, who had a more than successful playoff start, one has to wonder what the Bruins office sounds like.

In a pregame interview before Florida’s second game against the Tampa Bay Lightning that’s going to take place in a few hours, Paul Maurice was asked about Brad Marchand’s influence on the team and said, “Now Brad, what I’m most excited about isn’t all the things that people talk about when they talk about Brad. I mean the intensity is there, the fire is there, but because of his skillset, Anton and Eetu are starting to think of the game in terms of offense as well.” Maurice pointed out that Marchand’s legendary offensive tactics are rubbing off on other players in the team, like center Anton Lundell and left wing Eetu Luostarinen, who were generally known for their defensive acumen but have, since Marchand’s entry, adopted an offensive outlook.

“There’s an offensive component to that line that I don’t think we’ve had.” Maurice went on to say, indicating Marchand’s heavily felt presence on the line. And one can only wonder what Don Sweeney must be thinking while watching this. Knowing that Marchand’s influence isn’t limited to his plays alone, but also those of the people around him. Well, considering the Bruins are currently in the midst of figuring out how they placed 28th in the NHL rankings despite Pastrnak’s 43 goals this season and how to then build themselves back up for next year’s playoffs, Sweeney can’t be feeling on top of the world.

While Brad Marchand shines with the Panthers, the Bruins are looking to up their game before the 2026 playoffs with a new coach

In the midst of Florida’s successful NHL playoff start, the Bruins are hoping to start their way to next year’s playoffs. After having Sweeney speak at a press conference about having fired coach Jim Montgomery and having traded Marchand and Charlie Coyle during an admittedly difficult season, the Bruins are now looking at switching out interim coach Jim Sacco for someone who might actually be able to get them to where they need to be.

In a recent press conference, Don Sweeney spoke very transparently about their ongoing process to find a new coach. While Jim Sacco will play a role in the selection process, it seems unlikely that he will stay on in any serious capacity, considering the Bruins sort of fell to pieces under his wing; however, this might have had to do with all the risky trades. Either way, Sweeney said, “I want a coach that’s going to evolve a little bit offensively and again, that’s part and parcel with being able to communicate with sometimes younger players and their stubbornness or their inexperience.” Hinting at him and the Bruins missing a bit of that offensive component that the Panthers’ line is now benefitting from.

It’s a tough one. Brad Marchand, a loyal Bruin, was bummed to have had to leave, even though he was leaving for the beach. But with the Panthers in the limelight at the moment and the Bruins far from it, Marchand can’t be too miserable, which only stings harder for Bruins fans who are currently pining for their Marchy!