Brad Marchand reveals he virtually joined one other Bruins rival

“I imply, finally, I by no means even thought it was even potential to re-sign in Florida. I actually didn’t.”

Brad Marchand re-signed with the Panthers this previous offseason. AP Picture/Kyusung Gong

It was already painful sufficient for some Bruins followers to look at former captain Brad Marchand elevate the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in June.

However, the Bruins legend revealed on Tuesday that he additionally thought-about becoming a member of one other rival of Boston’s this previous offseason earlier than finally re-upping with Florida.

“It was between Florida and Toronto of the place I used to be going to go,” Marchand advised reporters, together with The Athletic’s Chris Johnston, on Tuesday earlier than a matchup with the Panthers. “I imply, finally, I by no means even thought it was even potential to re-sign in Florida. I actually didn’t. Simply with the fellows that we had up and stuff like that.

“Toronto, I used to be critical about what I stated, with the place they’re at. As a gaggle, the way in which that they’re competing now — they compete the fitting method, which is what they form of needed to recover from that hurdle.”

The 37-year-old Marchand finally re-upped with the Panthers on a six-year contract with Florida earlier than hitting free company.

Whereas Marchand’s feedback may very well be interpreted as one other signature trolling alternative for the long-time Leafs antagonist, Johnston famous that there was “ reliable smoke round the opportunity of him leaping to the Leafs on July 1.”

“League sources conversant in the state of affairs say that Toronto even handed on the opportunity of buying one other participant in a June commerce so as to shield the cap house that will have been wanted to usher in Marchand,” Johnston wrote.

“They have been able to be aggressive if the 37-year-old winger hit the open market coming off a playoffs during which he completed second in Conn Smythe Trophy voting and was a part of a crew that knocked the Leafs out of the playoffs for the fifth time in his profession.”

Although Marchand reportedly had curiosity in becoming a member of Toronto, he did handle to twist the knife towards the Leafs amid their up-and-down season.

“It’s unlucky the followers ran [Mitch] Marner out of city,” Marchand stated, referring to Marner’s exit this offseason earlier than becoming a member of the Vegas Golden Knights. “That’s a big impact on their group. He’s a point-a-game participant. Like, that hurts.”