Emotional Brad Marchand reflects on being traded by Bruins: ‘I wanted to stay’

Brad Marchand, speaking to reporters at the Florida Panthers’ practice facility in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Monday, reiterated that his first choice was to remain a Boston Bruin. However, Marchand’s inability to come to terms with the Bruins and the team’s non-playoff position prompted the club to trade him to the Panthers.

“I’ve had an incredible run in that organization,” Marchand said. “I’m extremely proud how things went there.”

The left wing then paused to collect himself. He apologized for his emotions.

“It was very disappointing that things didn’t get done,” continued the 2006 third-round pick of the Bruins. “I love the organization. I wanted to stay there. But at the end of the day, I also know that business is business. Every player has a shelf life. Regardless if that’s when we want it to be or not, sometimes there’s things out of our control that dictate situations. If we were in the playoffs at that point in time, we’d probably be having a much different conversation. I know that. It’s something we had talked about previously. But we weren’t. At that point, very tough decisions have to be made.”

The Bruins receive a 2027 conditional second-round pick. It will become a first-rounder in 2027 or 2028 if the Panthers win two rounds in this year’s playoffs and Marchand appears in at least 50 percent of the games. Marchand is out with an upper-body injury suffered on March 1. He said he would like to try skating Tuesday.

General manager Don Sweeney had set a high price for Marchand when negotiations stalled and they put him on the trade market. But Marchand’s injury status, his eight-team no-trade list and his preference to chase a Stanley Cup limited the Bruins’ options.

“The one thing I always respect — I told (president Cam Neely) and Sweens this — is they have a job to do,” Marchand said. “They have to make the best decisions for the team. I completely understand where the decisions need to be made. Sometimes they work against you. That’s why I believe Sweens is one of the best, if not the best, general managers in the league. I’ve watched him for a very long time excel at his job. For those who are in the organization and know the effort he puts in every day and how hard he works, no one would question where his loyalty lies, and that’s to do the best for the team every day. When you’re part of that group, you feel it.

“Every guy has their day. It’s obviously not what you want to have happen. But I don’t hold that against him or the group. It’s part of life. It’s part of the game. Also, he did create this opportunity for me to be here. I am grateful beyond words for everything that organization has done for me.”

Marchand was the Bruins’ No. 2 left wing and averaged 18:26 of ice time per game. Given the Panthers’ depth, he may not be asked to do as much heavy lifting.

“You never know how long you have in this league,” Marchand said. “You never know when your last day is going to be. You want to make the most of it. It would have been great to be able to stay and play out the career there, but this is an incredible opportunity — one that I’m really excited about. I feel rejuvenated coming here. They’re completely different mindsets from where we were as a team and the things we were going through, to now coming in and seeing the path these guys are on and the way they’re preparing for playoffs.”

The Panthers visit the Bruins on Tuesday. Marchand plans to travel with the team to Boston.

(Photo courtesy of Panthers Social)