For Boston Bruins fans, the team’s decision to trade captain Brad Marchand felt like the final nail sealing the championship window closed. The team that once felt like the dominant force in the NHL, not very long ago might I add, had just shipped off its heart and soul to the new kings of the league.
It wasn’t an easy one for the Bruins to make, and after the run that Marchand went on during the Stanley Cup playoffs, it wasn’t and easy move for the fans to stomach either.
But for Marchand it all came down to what team would give him the ability to play hockey the longest. And it turns out, that wasn’t Boston.
“I want to play as I long as I can. That’s the main reason it didn’t work in Boston,” he said, via Five Reasons Sports. “I want to play until I get kicked out of the league.”
“Didn’t Think There Was A Chance Of It Happening”
As a veteran of this league, Marchand is no stranger to how these things work. The 37-year-old knows that money moves the needle that’s why even he was surprised that Florida was able to make the contracts work this season.
“I honestly didn’t think there was a chance of it happening,” Marchand said Wednesday. “I did not expect to be a Panther this year if I’m being completely honest. I just didn’t think that it could work with everybody.”
For those who aren’t aware, shortly after the team hoisted their second consecutive Stanley Cup, they got to work delivering contracts to key pieces. Conn Smythe winner Sam Bennett signed an eight year deal. World class defenseman Aaron Ekblad got eight years of his own. Then the team delivered a six year contract to Marchy.
The entire NHL world was debating who the Panthers’ would part ways with. Meanwhile, the team was busy figuring out how to shock the league and keep all three.
But Marchy is a realist. Always has been, always will be. So when asked about how the Panthers were able to get it done, he kept it simple. Taxes.
“If we were not in a no-tax state it wouldn’t work out, probably for two guys. Two guys probably would be leaving in that situation,” Marchand said. “That’s a benefit that this team has that we able to utilize and make work. I’m thrilled to be here for the next six years.”
Marchand Confirms What We Already Knew
Another sell for Sunrise, Florida is that it is not a typical hockey town. In Boston, Marchand was digging his car out from under a couple feet of snow and getting stuck in The Big Dig on his way to work.
In other cities, like Toronto, Minneapolis, New York, Detroit, it’s more of the same.
The Florida Panthers provide an entirely unique player experience in a city that isn’t crazy about their hockey like we are. The weather isn’t too bad either.
“Guys are just willing to take less to come here and be part of it and have a great lifestyle,” Marchand said.
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