The Boston Bruins, who have had a dismal start to the season, may face a difficult decision with franchise icon Brad Marchand.
With a 12-11-3 record and interim head coach Joe Sacco replacing Jim Montgomery, the Bruins’ difficulties may necessitate significant personnel changes.
NHL insider Chris Johnston ranked the team captain 10th in his latest “NHL Trade Board,” which was published by The Athletic on November 21.
Marchand, who is in the final year of his contract, is now being touted as a potential trade candidate by league sources speaking with Johnston.
“As a league source commented this week,” Johnston wrote, “I don’t think anyone in Boston expected to be where they are now.
“If the decision to replace Jim Montgomery with Joe Sacco behind the Bruins bench doesn’t produce the desired results, some difficult personnel decisions will almost certainly follow.”
While Marchand has spent all 16 NHL seasons with the Bruins, the 35-year-old winger’s future in Boston is dubious, owing to the team’s overall problems.
Marchand himself dismissed the possibility of an immediate extension, disputing an insider’s story at the end of October, stating that talks were not moving forward.
Johnston emphasized the veteran’s worth, despite a sluggish start this season following several surgeries in the offseason.
“Marchand remains a high-end winger who can contribute offensively, kill penalties, and, yes, get under an opponent’s skin,” Johnston told reporters.
Marchand currently has eight goals and 17 points in 26 games, while the Bruins remain in third place in the Atlantic Division, trailing the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers.
