Brad Marchand has been with the Bruins organization since 2006, a stretch that includes both highs and lows. For the most part, though, he’s seen Boston maintain a positive culture that he and other long-tenured members of the hockey club often point to as a source of pride.
So when the Bruins signed defenseman Mitchell Miller on Friday — a decision that sparked backlash from fans given the defenseman’s controversial past — Marchand and captain Patrice Bergeron were among those who voiced their opinions. And Boston ultimately changed course, with team president Cam Neely announcing Sunday night the Bruins would part ways with Miller in light of new information.
“It’s a tough situation there,” Marchand told reporters Monday. “They’re trying to do what they feel is best for the team, and you see that right now with the way everything kind of played out here. They’re trying to right the ship and put their best foot forward and make the best decision for the team here. That’s one where we’re just going to move on here with the team and get back to controlling what we can, and that’s what’s in this room.”
So, what message does Marchand have for Bruins fans after Miller’s signing and subsequent release?
“We appreciate the support of the fans. They’re the reason we’re able to do this job,” Marchand said. “But again, it just goes back to the management and staff are trying to make the decisions that they best feel are going to help the team, now and down the road. And look, no one’s perfect. We all make mistakes. And this was one of those mistakes that, again, they’re now going back to again making the decision they feel is best for the team. At the end of the day, everything that happens here is because they feel it’s the best move, and same thing now.
“Everyone expects to have good people in this room. So yeah, I could see why (fans) are upset.”
– Brad Marchand
“We appreciate and love the fan support, and I think the reason why everybody’s so upset is because they feel so passionately about the group. With the beliefs and the way that we handle the room and the type of people that we want to have in here, that bleeds throughout the culture of not just the organization but the fans, as well. And I think that’s just why they care — because everyone expects to have good people in this room. So yeah, I could see why they’re upset. But hopefully, we can all kind of move on now and get back to worrying about this season and playing in here.”
Neely on Monday apologized and expressed regret over the recent situation involving Miller, a 20-year-old whose draft rights were renounced by the Coyotes in 2020 after The Arizona Republic revealed a troubling track record of bullying. According to Neely, the Bruins did not speak with the bullying victim’s family ahead of signing Miller, an oversight he acknowledged showed a flaw in the vetting process.
In the locker room, the Bruins are ready to turn the page. They’ve otherwise had a successful season to date, and the leadership group is committed to upholding the culture that’s been built and sustained over an extended period.
“When you are in this room and you’ve grown up in this culture and been part of it for a long time, you understand what it believes in, what the team and organization is trying to do here and what they’ve built,” Marchand told reporters Monday. “The amount of time and energy that’s gone into bringing in good people and building a great room, we take pride in that and I take pride in that. So, it’s part of being here — being a part of the good and the bad times. And this is one of those situations.”
The Bruins entered Monday with a 10-2 record, good for first place in the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference.
