A Difficult Day Changes The Course Of History For Bruins
BOSTON – It’s the end of an era for the Boston Bruins.
When Brad Marchand was traded and became a member of the Florida Panthers Friday afternoon, Boston’s organizational rebuild officially began. The exodus of Marchand, Charlie Coyle, Brandon Carlo, Trent Frederic and Justin Brazeau all before the NHL deadline sparks a new chapter in Bruins history. The overall return general manager Don Sweeney acquired is solid. Now, fans will have to wait and see how it all pans out.
It was time. The organization, for the first time in a long time, is at a crossroads and changes needed to occur. Sweeney’s task was/is daunting to fix and build the Bruins into a perennial winner again sooner than later.
"A difficult day personally, professionally, making some very difficult decisions,” Sweeney said.
Sweeney attempted to sign Marchand to a contract extension, but the GM admitted there was a “gap” between the sides. In the end, both agreed it was time for a different opportunity. Many believed trading the captain was a strong possibility, but with the chance he would resign with the Bruins during the offseason. That scenario is unlikely now that he’s playing in Florida. If the Panthers sign him to an extension, there’s no income tax in Florida, so players take home more money, which is one reason the Sunshine State has become a popular destination for free agents.
The fact that former Stanley Cup teammates Shawn Thornton and Gregory Campbell both work for the Panthers probably helped Marchand’s decision to accept the trade. Oh, and of course, the Panthers have a legitimate chance to repeat as Stanley Cup champions this season. Sweeney said he worked with Marchand’s representatives throughout the entire process to find a suitable landing spot.
“We had some conversations right at the very end in terms of what may be his preference, but not necessarily a specific location,” Sweeney said. “Ultimately, we made a decision for him to be in the Eastern Conference and on a really good team.”
Sweeney should be given credit for thinking with his head and not his heart, which is something GMs struggle with time and again.
"I love Brad," Sweeney said. "We've been trying to sign Brad all year long. We just had a gap there, and I respect that, you know where he believes his market value is, and I hope he respects our position, because he's beloved here. I would never close the door (on resigning him in free agency)."
Marchand, the final piece of the 2011 Stanley Cup core, leaves behind an impressive legacy. He’ll always be considered among the greats in the organization, a fan favorite and respected for the way he played the game even though he crossed the line at times. His teammates – past and present – love him, and no doubt No. 63 will one day hang from the rafters at TD Garden.
“I have no comments, really,” said former Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask when asked for his reaction on the trade. “Good for him. Hope they win it.”
Sweeney admitted the organization is “sort of taking a step back in the course of the season because we haven’t been to the level we need to be.” Making the right decisions, no matter how difficult, is paramount. Sweeney made the right decisions and the organization should be better for it if the future plan comes to fruition sooner than later.