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Boston Bruins: What to expect from Brad Marchand in 2021

By Matt Hawkins

TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 25: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins warms up prior to Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 25, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 25: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins warms up prior to Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 25, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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How will Boston Bruins’ left wing Brad Marchand do in 2021?

Since signing his eight-year, $49 million extension in September of 2016 at the age of 27, Boston Bruins‘ left wing Brad Marchand has become one of the best wingers in the NHL.

Since signing his big extension, Marchand has not had a season with less than 85 points. However, coming off offseason sports hernia surgery and missing right wing David Pastrnak for at least the first month of the season will challenge Marchy in 2021.

Because of this, I think Marchand won’t be as good as he’s been the last few years. I believe he won’t be a point-per-game player. Coming back from a sports hernia is tough at first, and not having your team’s top player on your right wing is even tougher.

Last season, Marchy scored 28 goals and 59 assists for 87 points in 70 games. This equates to 0.40 goals per game, 0.84 assists per game, and 1.24 points per game.

However, like I previously mentioned, Marchand is coming off offseason surgery for a sports hernia and will be missing Pasta for at least a month. Marchand’s expect return date is mid-January, but I don’t think he’ll be ready for the first five games. So I think he’ll play 51 games of the 56 this season.

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With Pasta out for at least a month, Marchy won’t have Pasta’s ability to finish plays, lowering his assist pace for the season. I also believe that Marchand’s goal pace will also be lower this season with Pasta out and him coming off of an injury.

So let’s say Marchand’s goals per game in 2021 will be 0.30, assists per game will be 0.50, and his points per game will be 0.80. These paces will leave Marchy with 15 goals and 26 assists for 41 points in 51 games.

Although these aren’t his normal elite-level stats where he’s scoring over a point a game, these are still very good and first line worthy. Of course, I could be wrong, and Marchy will still play at least point-per-game hockey in 2021.

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However, with him coming off of sports hernia surgery in the offseason and missing Pasta for at least the first month of the season, I don’t think Marchand will be as amazing as he’s been over the last few years.

Expectations: 51 games, 15 goals, 26 assists, and 41 points.

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