Brad Marchand has been the Bruins own bubble boy these last few weeks. This season’s performance has to date not been as good as his other seasons. His antics and lack of play put him at the top of a lot Bruins Nation’s hit list. There was even discussion in the rumor mill of a possible trade. Well, Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli put the kibosh down on trade talks involving Boston’s ‘Little Ball of Hate’. Chiarelli defended his player and made it clear that he’s not going anywhere (although I’m sure he’d like to see those antics get reined in a little more.
“Let me be clear on Marchy…I’m not trading Marchy, he’s a good player, I like the way he plays,” said the Bruins GM to the press before the game in Buffalo. “He’s finding his way. He’s skating better, driving deeper and making plays.”
“He’s a young player still, and sometimes you have those seasons. He’s fought the puck a little bit, and he’s been at wits’ end a little bit. You can see he’s frustrated with the situation. I go back over his last six or seven games, and he’s getting his legs back and his hands back. It’s just about looking at it over an 82-game schedule, and figuring it out and being patient. Maybe he showed little signs of impatience in his game, but I think he’s coming around.” – Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli
Brad Marchand was the sole goal scorer in last night’s tilt against the Buffalo Sabres. He put in two goals just seventy four seconds apart in the Bruins 4-2 loss to the worst team in the Atlantic Division, the Buffalo Sabres. In a sobering loss where a lot of players did not put their best performances on the ice, Marchand actually played to his strengths. Those two goals certainly improved his stock amongst the team, and on two separate chances, Marchand had the chance for a natural hat trick.
Perhaps this is the start of something good for Marchand. It would be nice to see the Bruins problem child become the Bruins problem solver.
Dec 19, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) tries to deflect a shot on Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller (30) during the first period at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports