Don Sweeney was a big fan of Brad Marchand, but he knew trading him was the right move for both the team and the player.
The Bruins general manager admitted there was a gap in contract talks with Boston’s captain — who’s set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer — and traded Marchand to the Florida Panthers where he’ll have a chance to play for the Stanley Cup.
Marchand wanted to stat with the Bruins, and Sweeney wanted to make the captain a Bruin for life. But they were unable to make that happen.
During a recent appearance on the “100% Hockey” podcast, Sweeney reiterated how difficult it was to not only trade Marchand, but not find common ground on a contract that would keep him in Boston.
“The deadline was very challenging,” Sweeney said. “I have a 20-year relationship with Brad dating back to when he was drafted. ... When it was clear that we weren’t gonna find a contract, we just felt that the best decision for the organization — and now maybe where Brad sits today — maybe the best decision for him to have an opportunity to go back into a high-leverage situation that he craves and thrives in."
Even though Marchand didn’t finish out the year with the Bruins and is competing for the Cup with the Panthers while his former team began their summer early after not making the playoffs, Sweeney doesn’t believe that dulls anything Marchand accomplished in Boston.
“His legacy will never be tarnished as a Boston Bruin,” Sweeney said. “In all likelihood, he’ll be in the (TD Garden) rafters and in the Hall of Fame.”
