It was a typical bustling Saturday morning at The Breakaway Café, the popular downtown eatery known for its delicious breakfasts and strong coffee, owned by none other than NHL star Brad Marchand. But one particular morning turned unusually chaotic.
Brad Marchand, celebrated Boston Bruins forward and the café’s owner, was quietly seated in the corner booth, catching up on some paperwork, dressed casually and trying not to attract too much attention. He had a low-key routine and enjoyed observing the café’s bustling rhythm from afar.
Enter Jessica Blake, a new waitress on her very first shift, eager but visibly nervous. Jessica knew little about hockey, let alone that the quiet, casually dressed patron in her section was actually her employer.
As Jessica hurried to serve her customers, she stumbled, spilling an entire pot of freshly brewed coffee directly onto Marchand’s lap and chest. Patrons gasped, and Jessica froze in horror, eyes wide, face pale.
“Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed, rushing to hand him napkins, oblivious to his identity.
Brad, known for his feisty and mischievous reputation on the ice, surprised everyone by calmly chuckling. “No worries, accidents happen,” he said with an amused grin.
Only moments later, the café manager rushed over, eyes wide with panic. “Mr. Marchand! Are you alright?”
Jessica’s face turned from pale to crimson instantly. “Mr. Marchand?” she whispered, horrified.
Realizing her error, Jessica was mortified. But Marchand’s reaction was priceless. He broke into laughter, diffusing the tension instantly.
“Relax,” Marchand reassured Jessica, “You’re doing great. Maybe just a little less coffee next time.”
News of the incident quickly spread, making The Breakaway Café even more popular, as customers flocked to experience the famous eatery where NHL stars might just end up drenched in coffee.
As for Jessica, she quickly became one of Brad’s favorite employees, often joking about her “bold first impression.” It turns out even spilled coffee can brew friendships—and a good laugh.
Brad Marchand fuels speculation on potential return to Bruins in NHL free agency
Brad Marchand has been a Florida Panther for less than a week following one of the biggest surprise deals of the NHL trade deadline, but talks of the soon-to-be-37-year-old returning to the Bruins have already started with his new team in Boston on Tuesday.
Marchand was asked about a potential return, and his answer should excite every Bostonian and Bruins fan all over the map.
“I don’t know, I guess is how I would respond,” Marchand told reporters in Boston after Tuesday’s morning skate, per NBC Sports Boston. “I don’t know what the future brings in terms of how it plays out in the summertime. I know it didn’t come together now. Can things change down the road? Potentially, but that’s to be seen.
“I’m sure we’ll have a conversation down the road, but I don’t know where that goes. I’ll say I would still love … like, it doesn’t change my love for the city, and the will to want to be here has never changed. I don’t think it will ever change.”
Marchand and the Bruins were far apart on negotiations – but as WEEI’s Scott McLaughlin reported, nowhere near as far as was being reported.
“There had been a report on Friday that the Bruins had offered Marchand $3 million per year. That didn’t sound right, to be completely honest, and sure enough, sources indicated to WEEI.com that it was not right,” McLaughlin wrote.
“ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported during Saturday’s Bruins-Lightning game that while term (how many years the contract would be for) was an initial sticking point, Sweeney and the Bruins, with the approval of team ownership, did eventually offer a three-year contract at some point in February, and that Marchand would have been OK with a three-year deal. That has since been confirmed by other reports.
“Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman then reported on Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday that the Bruins had not asked Marchand to take a pay cut, presumably meaning they were willing to offer him at least $6.125 million per year, which is his currently salary. As I alluded to on WEEI’s Sunday Skate, sources indicated that was much closer to the reality of the Bruins’ offer than the initial $3 million figure.”
Marchand could’ve given the tried and true “I’m just focusing on the present” trope, but given his injury, he can’t just give player-speak.
Not to Boston. Not when a few months apart could prove to be exactly what both sides needed to bridge whatever financial gap existed.
