On Tuesday, Brad Marchand made his return to Boston and TD Garden — his home for 16 years. Following his trade from the Boston Bruins in March, Marchand spoke with brutal honesty about the move after the game.
After 16 years, one Stanley Cup win, and memories that will last a lifetime, the Boston Bruins traded their beloved star to the Florida Panthers. Marchand fit right in with the feisty, hard-hitting Panthers and went on to win another Stanley Cup.
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Brad Marchand about his trade from Boston
Not much has been said about what led up to the trade — not from the Bruins, and not from Brad Marchand. But speaking to ESPN, Marchand was brutally honest when asked about his feelings toward the Bruins organization, his own role in the situation, and how the trade unfolded.
”Very, very grateful”
“Today was the first time I thought about how things could have been different. And I don’t think I can say that I regret it. It worked out incredibly well. We play the game because we’re competitive and we want to win. So I don’t think I can ever sit here and say that I regret how things played out. And I’m very, very grateful for that. I’ve had some of the best months of my life — some of the most fun I’ve ever had playing hockey,” Marchand said, before elaborating even more.
Done things differently
“If we went back, I think both sides would have done things differently. I think I let my emotions control some aspects of the negotiations that I would have handled differently if I could go back. But I wouldn’t go back; I wouldn’t change it. Because my family and I got to experience some of the most incredible memories we’ll ever have together,” Marchand said.
You can watch the full interview below.
READ MORE: Brad Marchand hints at future after TD Garden return
