Boston Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs has firmly backed the team’s leadership amid the controversial trade of captain Brad Marchand to the Florida Panthers. In a statement released Saturday, Jacobs praised president Cam Neely and general manager Don Sweeney, expressing his full support for their decisions and reaffirming their role in the team’s future success.
“Brad Marchand, our captain, Stanley Cup champion, and Bruin for 16 years, will always be a part of our legacy,” Jacobs said, acknowledging Marchand’s significant role in Boston’s success. “While we made every effort to keep Brad with us, we now wish him and his family the best in their next chapter.”
The trade of Marchand, which included only a conditional 2027 second-round pick, followed a series of trades where the Bruins dealt top players for future assets, marking a shift in their strategy ahead of the deadline. Despite receiving praise for deals involving Trent Frederic, Justin Brazeau, Charlie Coyle, and Brandon Carlo, the return for Marchand felt underwhelming to some, given his status as a franchise icon.
Marchand, 36, is in the final year of his contract and is sidelined due to an upper-body injury, which Bruins GM Don Sweeney noted likely impacted his trade value. “With his injury, it complicates things a little bit,” Sweeney explained, admitting that the inability to reach a long-term deal with Marchand contributed to the decision.
Brad Marchand
Sweeney acknowledged the challenging position the team faces heading into the postseason in 2025, stating, “Had we done our jobs properly, we would be adding like we have in previous years.”
In his remarks, Sweeney also honored Marchand for his incredible journey from a bottom-six agitator to an NHL superstar and team leader, calling him one of the greatest Bruins of all time. Neely echoed those sentiments, reflecting on Marchand’s pride in wearing the Bruins uniform for 16 years and his lasting impact on the team.
As the Bruins move forward with their rebuild, they expressed gratitude for Marchand’s contributions and wish him and his family success in the next phase of his career.j
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