There were some expected moves by Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney at the trade deadline in March — including sending out Charlie Coyle, Brandon Carlo, and Justin Brazeau. But one name that caught everyone off guard was team captain Brad Marchand.
Despite some trade chatter, few believed Sweeney would actually move the heart and soul of the Bruins. Yet, in a stunning twist, Marchand was dealt to the Florida Panthers — Boston’s recent playoff nemesis — in exchange for a draft pick. Now, he’s helping lead Florida to the brink of another Eastern Conference Final appearance.
With Marchand set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, he’s technically a rental for Florida unless a new deal gets done — and as things stand, a return to Boston feels unlikely. There’s always a chance the door reopens, but it would be a surprise if he were back in Black and Gold anytime soon.
Brad Marchand.
Should Marchand hit the open market, plenty of teams would be eager to land the veteran forward — but one potential destination could really sting Bruins fans.
According to Lyle Richardson of Bleacher Report, a top landing spot for the former Bruins captain would be the Detroit Red Wings — a move that would feel like salt in the wound for Boston faithful.
If trading Marchand to Florida was painful, imagine him suiting up for an up-and-coming Detroit squad — possibly helping them leapfrog Boston in the standings. The Red Wings are on the verge of playoff contention and could see Marchand as the veteran leader they need to push them over the top.
Since returning from injury late in the season, Marchand has been a strong two-way asset for the defending champs, and he could bring that same edge to a hungry Detroit roster.
Of course, Bruins fans will be watching closely to see where Marchand ends up. Other potential “nightmare scenarios”? The Montreal Canadiens or Toronto Maple Leafs. Either one would be brutal — but seeing Marchand face off against Boston three or four times a year in a Red Wings sweater could be the most gut-wrenching of all.
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