Brad Marchand has certainly caught the eye of his opponents over the years.
Marchand has been a target ever since he joined the league. Known as ‘The Rat.’ Marchand is one of the biggest pests in the entire NHL.
He has plenty of enemies in the NHL, but now even former players are speaking up that they want a shot at Marchand.
Former Toronto Maple Leafs tough guy Gary Roberts said he’d love to return to get a piece of Marchand.
Roberts was asked jokingly about a return to the game, and the 52-year-old had some choice words for the current Boston Bruins forward.
During Leafs Lunch, a show on TSN 1050, Roberts explained why he wanted to get a shot at Marchand.
“I would love to come back for a few shifts against Brad Marchand. He’s made himself into a heck of a hockey player. Love the way he plays…100 percent. I just don’t like the sideshow stuff that he does,” said Roberts. “I don’t think there’s a place for stuff like that in the game. If somebody is allowed to act that way on the ice then somebody [else] should be allowed to do something about it. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.”
Sounds like former NHL tough guy Gary Roberts wants a piece of Brad Marchand even though he hasn't played in the league in almost 10 years: "I would love to come back for a few shifts against [Brad] Marchand" https://t.co/JtiZ8Kac8D
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) December 16, 2018
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Roberts had his fair share of fights in his career. According to this site, Roberts picked up 111 fights in his career. He also racked up 2560 PIM. Roberts finished his career with 910 points over 1224 games played. Like Marchand, Roberts could also fill up the score sheet.
You have to give credit to Marchand. If your agitating ways are enough to warrant a (jokingly) return from a former tough guy, you must be doing something right.
