Panthers forward Jesper Boqvist praised Brad Marchand for his support when he was new to Boston, highlighting his skill and leadership on the ice. Marchand will play right wing on the second line with Sam Bennett and rookie Mackie Samoskevich, who also commended his talent. After joining the Panthers following a trade from the Bruins, Marchand has been practicing and settling in with his new team. Coach Maurice believes the acclimation period will benefit Marchand, and teammate A.J. Greer emphasized his leadership and energy, noting that he is well-suited for the Panthers’ style of play as they aim for playoff success.
“What an amazing guy. When I arrived in Boston last year, he was incredibly supportive, sharing his experiences both on and off the ice,” remarked Panthers forward Jesper Boqvist. “When you’re out there, all you strive for is victory, and he’s definitely going to help us. We’re thrilled to have him. Watching him play is going to be incredible. He’s fantastic and still going strong.”
Marchand will line up as the right winger on the second line, which is centered by Sam Bennett, with rookie Mackie Samoskevich playing on the left wing.
“It’s been a blast; Brad is such an excellent player,” said Samoskevich. “So skilled. When he’s in possession of the puck, he can see you from anywhere. It’s like he has eyes in the back of his head. I’m looking forward to our future together. He’s an amazing person off the ice as well. I’m really enjoying it.”
Marchand, who recorded 47 points (21 goals, 26 assists) in 61 games with the Bruins this season, joined the Panthers in Sunrise the day after the trade and traveled with them on their first road trip that started in Boston.
Since then, he has been practicing with his new teammates.
“Everyone will be watching everything he does,” Maurice stated. “Fans, as well as the players on the bench. You can see it during practice; when Brad does something impressive with the puck or scores, everyone on the ice takes notice.”
Although Maurice believes Marchand would have preferred to jump straight into gameplay, having a few weeks to adjust and integrate into his new team may have been advantageous.
“We’ve included our new players in all our pregame meetings, regardless of whether they were playing,” Maurice noted. “So, he is aware of what we’ve discussed over the past two weeks since he’s been present in all the meetings. This should assist him in understanding his reads and our current situation.”
The Panthers (43-25-3), currently tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning for second place in the Atlantic Division and just one point behind the Toronto Maple Leafs, have 11 games left in the regular season.
“He contributes a lot, especially with his leadership and high energy,” said Florida forward A.J. Greer, who played alongside Marchand with the Bruins during the 2022-23 season. “He’s experienced in crucial situations and commands respect. He’s well-suited to our style of play, so we’ll just allow him to do his thing. We’re confident he’ll find success here. He’s designed for the game we play.”