Brad Marchand Denies Rift Rumors with Bruins Teammate David Pastrnak

Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand and star forward David Pastrnak have vehemently denied a WEEI radio report alleging a rift between the two players. The report, which surfaced during a segment by host Rich Keefe, claimed Pastrnak was reluctant to play alongside Marchand due to recent tensions. Both players dismissed the claims as “100 percent false” during a media session following practice in Sunrise, Florida.

Pastrnak, who has played alongside Marchand for years, laughed off the report, calling it “human nature” for people to seek reasons for the team’s struggles. “I love Marchy. I have a huge amount of respect for him,” Pastrnak said. “We had a good laugh about it. I’ve never in my hockey career said I don’t want to play with this guy to the coaching staff or management, and I never would.”

Marchand, known for his fiery demeanor, was less amused. He criticized Keefe for spreading “blatant lies” and questioned his credibility. “The fact that this guy has a platform and is just making stuff up is embarrassing,” Marchand said. “Pasta and I are best friends. The only reason we don’t play together is so we can spread depth throughout the lineup.”

The Bruins have faced challenges this season, leading to speculation about internal issues. However, teammates like Charlie McAvoy have backed Marchand and Pastrnak, calling the report “laughable.” Keefe, meanwhile, doubled down on his claims, suggesting Marchand’s strong reaction confirmed the story’s validity. “No one acts this way if the story is really false,” Keefe tweeted.

Marchand and Pastrnak have a long history of on-ice chemistry and off-ice camaraderie, with their families also sharing close relationships. The Bruins’ coaching staff has often separated the two to balance the team’s offensive lines, a strategy that has nothing to do with personal conflicts. As the Bruins aim to turn their season around, the players remain focused on their performance rather than external rumors.