“I feel rejuvenated coming here,” Brad Marchand was full of optimism after arriving in Miami following his trade from Boston in March. Cut to July, and the “Rat” won his second Stanley Cup with the Cats, forever etching his name within the Florida fandom. Now, as the ex-Bruins captain begins his Cup defense captain, he’ll have to shoulder extra responsibilities, especially with both team captain Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk out with injuries.

While Marchand’s trade to the Panthers was definitely a shocker, the seasoned winger instantly clicked with his new teammates. Chirping his way into the squad, the 37-year-old proved invaluable (20 points in 23 postseason games) to the team’s second straight Stanley Cup triumph. Naturally, with two key players out, you’d expect Marchand to step up and fill the void. And that’s exactly what Marchy seems to be doing.

Sportsnet‘s post on X from October 11 revealed how Brad Marchand is helping the team stay on course amidst their roster issues. Talking to Caroline Cameron post the Panthers’ emphatic 6-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators, the Florida star confessed that his seniority is helping him help his teammates. On being asked about his role in the locker room, Marchand said with a grin, “I’m the old guy, a little bit more of a voice, but I felt comfortable from day one in here, talking and communicating.”

But the pressure isn’t really daunting. “ It’s such a welcoming crew in there. What I love about our group is everyone leads in their own way. You don’t really need anyone to take charge. Everybody’s so dialed in here,” Marchand explained how his work is being made easy by the rest of the squad. Moreover, referring to the Cats’ 3-0-0 momentum this season, he further stated, “They just kind of go about their business and are prepared to play every night. When you have that within the group, it just allows you to prepare yourself and make sure you bring your best.”

But Marchand knew Barkov and Tkachuk’s absence would create more opportunities for others. When the captain injured his ACL and MCL and was announced to be missing the 2025-26 regular season, Brad made it clear that others should look at the whole thing as a great chance to show their worth. “Obviously, it’s unfortunate that we lost our best player and our best leader. Again, that just creates the opportunity for someone else to be big, someone else to fill into a hole that maybe they didn’t think they were needed for a while because Barky was there. But it gives an opportunity for others to step up and have a voice and lead in different ways,” Marchand’s determined mentality was put on display for everyone to appreciate.

But it’s not like Brad’s adoration for the Panthers suddenly skyrocketed after their Stanley Cup triumph, no. From the very first moment he set foot in Sunset, Florida, he knew he was part of something special. “When you’re part of the locker room that we have, it doesn’t come often,” Marchand said in his first-ever post-game bench interview as a Panthers player.

And his sentiments were reciprocated in kind.

Brad Marchand didn’t feel alienated in Florida

The match between the USA and Canada at February’s 4 Nations Face-off was filled with action. Three fights broke off on the ice just ten seconds into the game. One of those fisticuffs involved Matthew Tkachuk, the very person whom Marchand would share the locker room with just days after their 4 Nations meeting. Remarkably, Chucky and Marchy bonded beyond anticipation, and both put their backs to work. The result was for the world to witness: the Panthers defended the Cup with gusto, defeating the Edmonton Oilers in the Finals for the second straight time.

While Tkachuk’s performance was undoubtedly incredible, how Marchand adapted to the Panthers’ play style within days of arriving in Miami was something not many were prepared for. Even Bill Zito, the Panthers’ GM, couldn’t help but praise Brad for his willingness to work hard despite 17 NHL seasons already under the former’s belt. “Brad’s a big moment guy,” Zito lauded Marchand after the incredible Game 7 action between Florida and Toronto. With that appreciation came the leniency to bend a few rules.

Scenes of Marchand having a snack during a playoff match went viral, and everyone from the star himself to the coach, Paul Maurice, weighed in on the joke of whether Marchand was having ice cream mid-match. The lucidity in the locker room helped. And now, as the Cats begin their quest for the three-peat, an achievement last attained by the Rangers in the 1980s, Brad is looking every bit of a responsible squad member as the next guy: He’s already pocketed 3 points (2 goals, 1 assist) in 3 games.

With him to lead by example, do you think the rest of the team will follow suit? Or will the absence of Tkachuk and Barkov prove to be too big a challenge for the Panthers to overcome? We’ll have to see for ourselves!