Bruins Enemy Lauds Panthers’ Brad Marchand After Winning Stanley Cup

Brad Marchand’s contributions to the Florida Panthers can’t be overlooked, his teammates say.

Marchand tallied 20 points on 10 goals and 10 assists during 23 playoff games this postseason, including six goals in the Stanley Cup Finals. But his on-ice production was just a snippet of how Marchand helped the Panthers, who hoisted the Stanley Cup after beating the Edmonton Oilers in the best-of-seven series on Tuesday night.

“What he’s meant to this team,” Sam Bennett told ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski, “I truly don’t think we win a Stanley Cup without him.”

Florida acquired Marchand from the Boston Bruins in March. Marchand spent 16 seasons representing the Bruins, an Eastern Conference rival of the Panthers.

“His leadership, his will to win, it’s inspiring,” Bennett continued. “I was telling him before every game, ‘We’re going to follow you.’ And we did. He was a dog every night. He for sure could have won this (Conn Smythe) trophy.”

Marchand battled with Bennett and company during heated playoff series between Boston and Florida. That history made it all the more weird when Marchand hoisted Lord Stanley in a Panthers sweater.

“He’s a better player and person than I ever knew and I’m grateful that I got to play with him,” Bennett said.

The Bruins received a first-round pick for Marchand, who now enters NHL free agency.