Boston Bruins Head Coach Joe Sacco Facing Major Backlash After Healthy Scratching Fan Favourite

Boston Bruins head coach Joe Sacco made a controversial lineup decision ahead of their game against the Washington Capitals, and is now facing some major backlash for the move.

This season has been a major disappointment for the Boston Bruins, and the only bright spot recently has been that Fabian Lysell has been getting a opportunity to prove himself during the final stretch.

Well that changed last night when Bruins head coach Joe Sacco opted to make him a healthy scratch, and instead play two players the Bruins had just placed on waivers, and Jeffrey Viel over Fabian Lysell.

It was unclear until following the game on why Sacco made the decision, but he stated that it was a lineup decision based on the opponent, and fans are not happy with it.

Sacco said that Lysell not playing tonight was «a lineup decision based on the opponent.»

Said Lysell will draw back in at some point soon.

Fans Furious With Joe Sacco

The reason Fabian Lysell is up right now is to prove what he can do in the NHL, and if you are only going to limit him to games against bottom feeder teams then what is the point on having him play in the NHL at all? You want to see how he can handle himself against a tough opponent like the Washington Capitals, and fans agree.

Especially considering the Bruins are going to miss the playoffs, and are currently on a nine-game losing streak. If they were playing important games, it would be understandable, but this is a head scratcher.

Since coming up from the Providence Bruins, Lysell has been a bright spot on the roster and sits second on the team in shot attempts, and third in individual high-danger chances. He may not be putting up the points, but is getting some good looks. What more can u expect from someone who has seen a total of 5 games since being drafted 4 years ago?

Lysell ranks second on shot attempts and third in individual high-danger chances since drawing in. Sitting in favor of 3 pending UFAs (two of whom cleared waivers yesterday) and an enforcer. Good roster management with what are essentially free NHL games with focus on 2025-26.

NHL Insider Confirmed Ex-Bruin Brad Marchand May Be Heading To A Different Divisional Rival In The Off-Season

It’s a sad reality, but most fans are now getting use to seeing Brad Marchand in a Florida Panthers sweater, but it may not last for long as an NHL insider has confirmed that Marchand is linked to another divisional rival.

With Brad Marchand being an unrestricted free agent this summer, there are definitely going to be a bunch of suitors lining up to try and acquire him.

But what no one expected, was that a different divisional rival in the Toronto Maple Leafs would be one of the top teams in line to acquire him, and an NHL insider just confirmed it.

Adam Proteau of The Hockey News stated that the Maple Leafs are going to have to try and acquire Marchand so that they can fill a massive void on their roster. Marchand brings a ton of grit, and offensive production, along with experience that would definitely benefit the Toronto Maple Leafs, more then it would hurt them.

If the Maple Leafs are not able to come to an agreement with Mitch Marner, the Leafs will definitely be one of the top teams making a big push for Brad Marchand:

«Okay, before you get snippy, hear us out: let’s assume the Maple Leafs falter early in the playoffs once again this spring.

«In the wake of that disappointment, there will likely be a massive change in Toronto – and what better way to effect significant culture change than to sign a proven winner and Leafs-haunter in Marchand?

«He’d have to acclimate to playing in the huge hockey fishbowl that is Toronto, but it’s not as if Marchand isn’t used to that in Boston.

«The Leafs might be a bigger long-shot than Pittsburgh on this list, but if Marchand values playing in another Original Six market where hockey is everything, he could spend his remaining few seasons in Toronto and be an integral part of what could be something special.

«The Leafs would be motivated buyers for him, and he’d fill an obvious need for grit and spunk.»

Maple Leafs insider, Jonas Siegel of The Athletic also believes that Brad Marchand could join the Toronto Maple Leafs if Marner does walk in the summer.

«They will certainly have ample cap space, with Marner’s absence creating a $13 million hole in their salary allocation. It might also make sense to add two wingers, increasing their scoring depth.

In that case, Brad Marchand could be one intriguing option.»

This would be insane, and most Boston Bruins fans would probably end up hating Brad Marchand if he does decide to go and sign there, especially with the history the organizations have, but at the end of the day the NHL is a business and people are going to do what they think is best for them.