Going into the 2023-24 season, there are a fair amount of uncertainties regarding the Boston Bruins. One thing that is for certain, is that if the Bruins makes the playoffs, Brad Marchand would be given an opportunity make franchise history.
If Boston were to make the playoffs, Marchand could easily move into sole possession of second place on the all-time points records list and move past recently retired Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci on the playoff points record list with just a goal or assist with – giving him a total of 129 in his career.
In addition to that, with just three goals he would pass Cam Neely, for the most goals in playoff history with a total of 56, according to quanthockey.com.
Of course, Marchand is not one to pay attention to records, and mostly cares about doing what is best for the team and what allows them to win.
Although, for him to set a record that would put him past both of his former teammates, as well as a franchise legend like Neely is something that would definitely put him on the map towards joining both Bergeron and Krejci in the NHL Hall of Fame down the road.
With this ability to score lends some credibility as a player, it also lends his hand towards being a good candidate to be the next captain following Bergeron’s departure. In fact, Boston.com’s Conor Ryan seems to believe that Marchand is the clear-front runner, and former Bruins head coach, and now Stanley Cup Champion with the Vegas Golden Knights, Bruce Cassidy believes it too.
It is increasingly likely that Boston will make the playoffs in 2024, despite all the departures in the offseason, and it’s really a matter of where they are placed in terms of the seeding. With strong goaltending, strong defense, and a strong core of players in terms of both additions, and guys who were there before the additions even came in, watch for Marchand to pass both marks easily in the 2023-24 season.