Calls Mount for Bruins GM Firing Over New Brad Marchand Trade Details

Well, this one’s going to take a lot to get used to. Right before the curtains closed on the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday, March 7th, Boston felt the earth move from beneath its feet. The headline of the year for the city was: Brad Marchand traded. If that was not enough of a shocker, the next line was! Traded to who? The Florida Panthers. The team who sent away the Boston Bruins packing their bags in the last two playoffs. The team that, at many times, plucked a nerve of the 16-year Bruins player and 2-year captain Marchand. The irony that life is…

Monday’s Boston Globe only hurt more as Marchand left a note for his fans in the form of a full-page advertisement. Of many words that one could highlight, some that stood out were– “We are Bostonians now and forever,” “It was a privilege,” and “Boston will always be a part of me.” But what pushed that tear to trickle down the cheeks for many was the ending of the note that read– “Thank you.”

Brad became part of the Boston family as the 71st overall, third round pick in the 2006 NHL Draft. After spending some time in the AHL, Marchand finally got a call for his first NHL entry. Gradually rising the ranks, Brad led the team to the Stanley Cup within three years of his Bruins debut in 2011. With his gritty attitude, the Bostonians fondly called him “The Little Ball of Hate.” Sure, the fans wanted GM Don Sweeney to plan for the team’s future instead of looking at short-term successes. But who knew what card he would play?

But recently, a fact has popped up. Understandably, fans are not fond of the decision. Consequently, they are now rooting to get Sweeney out of the picture.

According to PuckEmpire’s latest tweet, “Brad Marchand was reportedly willing to compromise on his contract ask with the Bruins — but the Bruins were not willing to compromise, per @FriedgeHNIC. After that, Marchand made it clear that the only team he wanted to go to was the Florida Panthers. Marchand was “hurt” that a deal couldn’t get done in Boston.”

According to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, the Bruins reached Brad for a 3-year extension back in February. However, there was a difference in the perspective for the AAV which led to the dismissal of the contract and sent Marchan to the Panthers. Interestingly, Kaplan also reported that the team did work with Brad to land on a preferred destination.

Although the 36-year-old wanted to stay in Boston, with other viable option, chose to go with the defending champions in Florida. Not only does he now get to have a solid chance of another go at the Stanley Cup but he wanted to be close to his family on the East Coast which is also possible now.

Sportsnet insider, Elliotte Friedman also spilled the beans: the two sides couldn’t be on the same page, eventually leading to Brad leaving the team.

On Saturday night, Friedman gave insights, “I think the Bruins and the player agreed on term — three years. But as (Boston GM) Don Sweeney said yesterday, there was a gap. And there was a gap on AAV. I don’t think (Marchand) was being asked to take a pay cut. But I do think it was a sizable gap they obviously could not bridge.

Top Comment by mandoist

Harry Sinden tried — very hard — to school Sweeney; and indirectly, Neely. Obviously, he wasted his time and expertise.

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“Where I think this really went sideways was that there was a point this week where Brad Marchand, who is currently injured and not in the lineup, asked for a face-to-face meeting with Bruins management. I don’t know exactly when it was. And I don’t know exactly who was there. But it did happen. In that meeting, Brad Marchand asked for a compromise…it just didn’t happen. The Bruins had gone as far as they were willing to go,” as Yard Baker quotes.

A deadlock. To name it. With no chance of return. And just like that, the Bruins summoned a catastrophic trade of Brad to their division rival, the Florida Panthers. Nevertheless, Brad has taken this decision too like he would any, “It was very disappointing things didn’t get done. I love the organization and wanted to stay there but I know business is business.”

Before the Bruins host the Panthers in TD Garden on Tuesday, Brad also addressed his fans. “It’s bittersweet. It’ll be great to go home, and the guys were all on the road when I got traded, so I didn’t see a lot of the guys before I left. It’ll be nice to be able to see guys and kind of say goodbye. It’ll be very weird to be there as an opposing team. I guess it’s nice, but it’ll be a bit sad, too.”

Although he will not play this Tuesday as he is still recovering from his injury, we can expect a video montage by Boston to bid a formal farewell to their “legacy player.” 

And now, it’s no wonder that the fans burning with anger. We can hear echoes and screams of fans on the internet, demanding Bruins GM be fired.

Bruins fans erupt with cries of ‘Fire Bruins GM’

The fans are not liking the sudden decision that was shoved onto them by the Bruins. However, Brad for one, has nothing against Sweeney. In fact, after the trade, he spoke about him, “Very tough decisions have to be made and the one thing I always respect, and I told Cam and Sweens this, they have a job to do and they have to make the best decisions for the team. I completely understand where the decisions need to be made.

“Yeah, sometimes they work against you. But that’s why I believe Sweeney is one of — if not the best general manager in the league. I’ve watched him for a very long time excel at his job. For those in the organization, they know the effort he puts in every day and how hard he works. No one would question where his loyalty lies. That is to do what is best for the team every day. He did create this opportunity for me to be here, and I am grateful beyond words that organization has done for me.”

Well, for a veteran like Brad, his 16 years with the Bruins isn’t just a number. Neither is it for the fans. A fan wrote, “2yr/$3m for a 16y vet, who is your captain and the only tie to the prior greatness, only to then getting gaslit by Charlie Jacobs in his statement is some really insulting sh*t.” Marchand was the only player left with the Bruins from their 2011 Championship team. The captain who led them and built a legacy, gets what? 2-year deal worth $3 million AAV. Unbelievable, right?

As the waters got murky, fans turned their anger toward the GM —nothing new for the spectators. Given the past reputation of how incredibly ‘compromising’ Don Sweeney has been, fans are outraged, calling for the GM to be fired. Another fan wrote, “Don Sweeney is a spineless, gutless, brainless Jacka**! An epitome of the Boys Club within the Bruins organization.”

While we understand the anger, it is visible that at 29-28-8 in the latter half of the league standings, the Bruins are not exactly performing their best. So what’s the best course of action a front office can take? Plan for the future already. Although we are not saying they have given up on the current season altogether, Sweeney is clearly set on bringing in newer, younger talents that can help with the rebuilding of the team. However, for him, this does not mean that he will not remember Brad. After the trade, he also mentioned, “He’s beloved here. I would never close the door on that.”

Another adds, “Wow. You mean Don Sweeney, the guy we literally say to fire every season, wouldn’t compromise? Weeeeiiiird #FIREDONSWEENEY.”  What else do you expect from a GM who has been chiefly responsible for the tragic home losses?

But is it just the Bruins fan clan that is upset? Well, no! It looks like a universal cry, and we can feel too! A ‘non-Brad fan’ writes, “I am NO fan of his, but this move shocked me.  His name is synonymous with the franchise.  He wanted to stay, it sounds like, and it’s too bad.  My heart goes out to him. Boston better hope they don’t meet up with the Bruins in the playoffs.”

A Flyer fan seconds the emotions of the Bruin fan clan, saying, “As flyers fan this ain’t right, Marchand was willing to compromise, but Bruins weren’t willing to, I can’t blame him for being disrespected and wanting to leave.”

Brad Marchand gave Boston everything—his heart, grit, and loyalty—but when the time came, the franchise seems to have turned its back on him. However, long after the dust settles, Bruins fans won’t remember the stats or the deals; they’ll remember how the franchise let a legend walk away.