BREAKING: Brad Marchand Sends Strong Message After Panthers Debut
Brad Marchand spent 15 and a half seasons with the Boston Bruins, playing in over 1,100 games before donning a Florida Panthers jersey for the first time on Friday night. He assisted on Sam Bennett’s overtime goal, securing a 2–1 win over the Utah Hockey Club. After the game, Marchand acknowledged how unusual it felt to receive support from Panthers fans, who had long viewed him as a rival. “It was strange stepping onto the ice,” he admitted. “That was the moment it really sank in. Hearing cheers from Panthers fans was definitely different. But it felt great.”
The 36-year-old winger, who joined Florida three weeks ago, had been sidelined with an upper-body injury. He made an immediate impact in his debut, setting up Bennett’s game-winner with a pass from behind the net. “(Marchand) hasn’t played in a month, yet he came in and took control of the game,” Bennett said. “That’s not easy, especially on a new team.” Coach Paul Maurice and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky were also impressed.
Marchy to Benny, it’s a Cats thing 😻 pic.twitter.com/5bCRAnh4p5
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) March 29, 2025
Maurice praised Marchand’s ability to make difficult plays in tight spaces, while Bobrovsky highlighted his winning mentality.
With the win, Florida (44-25-3) moved to the top of the Atlantic Division with 91 points, one ahead of the Toronto Maple Leafs (43-25-4). The Panthers will face the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday, with 10 games left in the regular season.