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Boston Bruins Report Card: Brad Marchand

By Andrew Thompson

Mar 19, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) chases the puck during the third period against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Kings won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) chases the puck during the third period against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Kings won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Before the start of the start of the 2015-16 season Brad Marchand made a promise to the fans. He promised that he would take less stupid penalties. He told the fans that he would be a better hockey player, one that would play to his potential. Finally, he wanted to let the fans know he would do all he could to get the Bruins back into the playoff race. Well, two out of three ain’t bad Marchy.

Brad Marchand –  Forward

Games Played: 77

Goals / Assists / Points:  37 / 24 / 61 (six power play goals, four short-handed goals, and six game winning goals. 250 SOG with a 14.8% shot success rate)

Brad Marchand certainly improved his game during the offseason. He had a team and career-high in goals this season, finishing sixth overall in the league for goals tallied. He proved that he was capable of dropping the pest part of his program (for the most part), and deliver a solid sixty-minute performance nearly every game this season for the Black and Gold.

Marchand’s leadership off the ice briefly granted him an ‘A’ on his jersey. Then he went and got suspended for clipping Mark Borowiecki of the Ottawa Senators. He ended up missing three games and he subsequently missed the Winter Classic (where the B’s got obliterated by the Montreal Canadiens at home), gave up $164,634.15, and lost the ‘A’ he had worked pretty hard to get.

That suspension was the only black mark on what was an outstanding season for the 27-year old forward. Marchand has become the total package player for the Black and Gold. He plays the three-zone, two-way hockey he was always capable of playing. He’s promoted himself to one of the best offensive forwards in the league, and he’s evolved from being a pain in the neck to one of the elite in the NHL.

The Boston Bruins will be making signing Marchand their number one priority going into next season. He’s earned a pay raise, and the B’s will have to figure out how to make it work to keep him moving forward.

Final Grade: A+

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