Brad Marchand wanted to stay with the Boston Bruins, and he was willing to compromise to make it happen. But new reports from top NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reveal just how the Bruins’ contract talks with Marchand fell apart—leaving fans infuriated.
Marchand has been the heart and soul of the Bruins for years and, since Patrice Bergeron‘s retirement, the team’s captain. He has played his entire NHL career in Boston, and fans always envisioned him retiring in a Bruins uniform.
But as the NHL trade deadline approached, Marchand and the Bruins had yet to agree on a new contract, with his current deal set to expire this summer. While there was always a chance the Bruins could trade him to avoid losing him for nothing, it was still a major shock when they dealt him to the Florida Panthers in exchange for a conditional second-round draft pick.
Why Brad Marchand got traded from Boston
Many have wondered how things fell apart and how the Bruins could allow their captain to leave. According to Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman, Marchand was ready to compromise to get a deal done—but the Bruins were not. Negotiations for a three-year contract extension ultimately broke down.
“Where I think this really went sideways was 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,” Friedman said this past weekend. “I don’t know exactly when it was. I don’t know exactly who was there. But it did happen.
“In that meeting, Brad Marchand asked for a compromise. He said, ‘I will compromise. I will bend on some of my asks. I’m asking the Bruins to bend on some of their stances, and we’ll find a way to get this deal done.’ He wanted to stay a Bruin, and it just didn’t happen. The Bruins had gone as far as they were willing to go.”
Although it’s unclear how much Marchand asked for, the Bruins were ultimately unwilling to meet him halfway. Now, he will finish the season with the Florida Panthers, who are looking to win back-to-back Stanley Cup championships. The Bruins have left the door open for a potential reunion this summer, but only time will tell if they can bridge the gap and bring Marchand back.
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