The Florida Panthers acquired Brad Marchand from the Boston Bruins at the trade deadline for a conditional 2027 second-round pick. The move paid off as the Panthers captured their second consecutive Stanley Cup.
Sam Bennett, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, credits Marchand as a key factor in the championship run.
“That is the biggest dawg I have ever played with,” Bennett told Sportsnet postgame Tuesday. “He’s f—–g incredible. … The best leader. He leads by example, he speaks up, he’s fearless out there. I’ve been telling him these whole playoffs, ‘We’re following you.’ And we followed him these whole playoffs.”
The 37-year-old winger had spent his entire career with Boston before the trade. He delivered immediately for Florida during their playoff run.
Marchand posted 20 points in 10 goals and 10 assists throughout the Panthers’ postseason. He scored six goals against the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final alone.
He’s the first player in over 100 years to score more than five goals on the road in a Final.
This marks Marchand’s second Stanley Cup championship. He won his first with the Bruins in 2011, making his wait between championships 14 years – tied for the third-longest gap for any player. The veteran forward also appeared in two other Cup Finals during his career.
Bennett didn’t hold back in his praise for his teammate’s impact.
“I truly don’t think we win a Stanley Cup without him,” Bennett said, adding, “He for sure could’ve won (playoff MVP). He’s a better player and person than I ever knew, and I’m grateful I got to play with him.”
Marchand will become a pending unrestricted free agent when his eight-year, $49-million contract expires at the end of the season. The Panthers will need to decide whether to pursue re-signing the veteran winger after his championship performance.
