Brad Marchand ‘Happy’ To Not Play Against Former Rival Anymore

Brad Marchand was known to get into a few disagreements on the ice with other teams when he was with the Boston Bruins, including with his current team, the Florida Panthers.

One player Marchand would get into it with was his current teammate, Sam Bennett.

Last year, when the Bruins played the Panthers in the division finals, Bennett hit Marchand in the head in Game 3. The hit was big because Marchand couldn’t play for the next two games.

The former Bruins veteran is also no stranger to the tough game the Panthers play, losing to them twice in the playoffs.

Now winning a Stanley Cup Final with the Panthers, Marchand is happy he doesn’t have to play them, or against Bennett again.

“I’m happy I don’t have to play against these guys anymore,” Marchand joked during his speech on Sunday during Florida’s parade. “And I’m so happy I don’t have to worry about being knocked out by (Bennett) anymore.”

Bennett and Marchand have seemed to put their differences to the side since the 37-year-old was traded to the Panthers. Bennett told the media after Florida’s win that they couldn’t have won without the help of Marchand.

The 29-year-old won the Conn Smythe Trophy over Marchand after putting up a 15-goal performance in the playoffs. Bennett, though, said Marchand could have easily won it over him.

Marchand has had a fun time celebrating his second Stanley Cup Finals win, even saying he wants to sign back with Florida in the offseason.