So, you know, a lot of NHL fans are still struggling to wrap their heads around the whole Brad Marchand trade to the Florida Panthers from the Boston Bruins. It’s hard to believe that after 16 years of dedication and bonding, everything changed in an instant. The Marchand trade is a strong contender for most unexpected trade of the season so it’s no wonder that’s taking some time for it to sink in. But besides the emotional departure from Boston–for Marchand and fans alike– being a part of a team that can actually compete in playoff hockey did get Marchand pretty excited, especially since the Bruins had really fallen of the wagon this season.

“We’ve got some strange dudes in there,” coach Paul Maurice said when asked about the Panthers locker room after this trade. So, it’s pretty clear that it was aimed at Brad Marchand, who was all set to get ready for his new NHL team. He ended up fitting in with the Florida group pretty well. Yeah, even someone like Matthew Tkachuk, who he had a bit of a chirping session with during the 4 Nations Face-Off when they were on different teams, said, “It’s been unreal having him in. And he’s got what everybody wants in this league, and that’s that winning pedigree and being a champion and having that experience.”

How’s Marchand been feeling about all this? At the post-match press conference, the hockey forward shared, “It was difficult when I first got here, just because I wasn’t playing. We had a ton of games, and I wasn’t skating with the team at all. I wasn’t around the group as much as you need to be to really transition into the system, and into the team, and the dynamics of everything.”

Moving from the Bruins to the Panthers wasn’t a walk in the park for Marchand, that’s for sure. Even after he got traded to his new team, he was dealing with an injury, making the transition even tougher for the player since he couldn’t skate with his new teammates immediately to really build a good synergy on the ice.

On the other side, Marchand gushed, “The group is incredible,” as he recounted his return from injury and reinstatement to the regular season with his new NHL team. He said that it took him a little while to get used to his new lines and to get to know the people he’d be working with, but overall, the transition went pretty smoothly.

Marchand also spoke about how much he valued the support from the players in the Panthers locker room, saying, “The guys are just there to help every day. When you have a veteran group and guys that have been through big moments before, everyone just goes about their business. It’s very easy to fall into place and just do your role. It’s a special group.” It seems like he’s already gotten close with them! Aside from playing a handful of regular-season games with the Panthers, Marchand really held his own, especially when you look at how he performed in the playoffs.

Brad Marchand is putting numbers out there

Brad Marchand has really stepped up for the Florida Panthers in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, showing off his experience and ability to adjust to the game. So, he’s got 16 seasons under his belt with the Bruins, and since the transfer, he’s really stepped up as a key forward for this new franchise. Since joining the Panthers mid-season, Marchand has really fit in with the team, making a big impact on their success in the postseason.

During the playoffs, Marchand has scored 3 goals and provided 9 assists in 12 games, which puts him at the top of the team with 12 points and a +11 plus-minus rating. He’s been really consistent on offense and has a solid presence on defense. In Game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Marchand really stepped up, scoring a goal and adding two assists. His contributions were key in the Panthers’ impressive 6-1 win that sent them to the Eastern Conference Final.

So, it looks like Florida is gearing up to take on the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final, which is a rematch from their 2023 showdown. Thanks to Marchand’s scoring and the team’s current atmosphere, the Panthers are in a great spot to chase after those back-to-back Stanley Cup titles.