It looks like the fire Boston lit isn’t going out anytime soon. The NHL trade is turning into a one-of-a-kind soap opera. And this season’s the biggest twist was Brad Marchand’s trade to the Florida Panthers. Well, witnessing a veteran like Brad, who’s been with the Bruins for over a decade now, go empty-handed while leaving a whole legacy behind, feels personal. According to some fans, the impact of this move will be colossal and we couldn’t agree more.

But do you know what’s even more difficult to digest? There are rumors flying around that Brad was almost pushed to leave Bruins because the GM team didn’t compromise with the deals that Brad raised to make a worthy stay. According to reports, Brad and Bruins tried to settle things before Friday. Reports also suggest that Brad had no intention of leaving the team, who would like to leave their second home?

Brad led the Bruins in the past seasons and shaped their trajectory. But Sportsnet insider, Elliotte Friedman 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,” and added, “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. 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’s (Don Sweeney) be fired.

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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Bruins fans erupt with cries of ‘Fire Bruins GM’

Well, for a veteran like Brad, his 16 years with the Bruins isn’t just a number. The captain who led them and built a legacy, gets what? 2-year deal worth $3 million AAV. Unbelievable, right? Reacting to this, 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 shit.” As negotiations stalled, the Bruins traded their captain to Florida.

As the waters got murky, fans turned their anger toward the GM team—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 Jackass! An epitome of the Boys Club within the Bruins organization.” 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 turned its back on him. They didn’t just let him go, they left him stranded. However, long after the dust settles, Bruins fans won’t remember the stats or the deals; they’ll remember how the franchise cruelly let a legend walk away when he should have been honored not abandoned.