Brad Marchand Traded to Panthers in Shocking NHL Deadline Move

BOSTON, Mass. — The Boston Bruins traded their captain, Brad Marchand, to the Florida Panthers late Friday, marking the end of an era for the franchise. In exchange, the Bruins received a conditional second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.

The 36-year-old forward, who has spent 16 seasons with Boston, is in the last year of an eight-year, $49 million contract and is expected to become an unrestricted free agent after the season. The Bruins will retain 50 percent of Marchand’s salary in the deal.

Marchand was enjoying a solid season, tallying 47 points (21 goals, 26 assists) in 61 games. However, he is currently sidelined with an upper-body injury sustained during a recent matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“This trade goes back a long way for me,” Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney said. “The decision was difficult, but we felt it was a necessary opportunity for Brad to play with a strong team.”

If the Panthers win two rounds in the playoffs and Marchand plays in at least 50 percent of their games, the second-round pick will escalate to a first-round selection in either 2027 or 2028.

“We are thrilled to welcome Brad to our team,” Panthers General Manager Bill Zito said after the trade was announced. “His record speaks for itself, and we think he still has a lot to offer. We’re optimistic about him joining us.”

Marchand, who served as the Bruins’ captain for two seasons, is ranked fourth in team history for games played, goals, and points. With 976 points in 1,090 career games, he’s also regarded as one of the franchise’s all-time greats.

The Bruins currently sit at 28-28-8 and are three points behind the Ottawa Senators for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. This trade signals a possible retooling phase for Boston as they prepare for the future.

The Panthers, fresh off a Stanley Cup title last season, lead the Atlantic Division at 39-21-3. They eliminated the Bruins in the playoffs the last two years and look to strengthen their roster further as they aim for another championship run.

Marchand will make his Panthers debut following recovery from injury, but Boston fans will have a hard time adjusting to seeing him in a different uniform.

This significant shift not only affects Marchand but has broader implications for the Bruins as they look to build around young stars like David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy. Boston is in the midst of a challenging playoff hunt, and Marchand’s departure indicates the organization’s focus on long-term success.