Brad Marchand stepped back onto TD Garden ice, but this time, it wasn’t in a Bruins jersey. Instead, he was rocking a Florida Panthers practice fit, marking his first skate with his new squad since the blockbuster trade that shook the NHL. Though sidelined with an injury, Marchand still took those familiar steps onto the ice, and even he admitted, “Definitely still a little bit that I’ve got to get through here… It still felt weird.” After 16 years as a Boston staple, seeing him anywhere but in black and gold had Bruins fans doing a double take.
And let’s be real—stepping onto TD Garden as a visitor? That’s gotta hit different. But even without lacing up for game night, Marchand’s presence still had an impact. Right as he made his return, the Bruins went ahead and shattered a 16-year-old franchise record, almost as if the hockey gods wanted to mark the occasion. Coincidence? Maybe. But it sure felt like Marchand’s presence alone stirred up some magic at TD Garden, even if he was just watching from the side.
Bruins Breakdown hit up X on March 11 with a stat that had Boston fans feeling some type of way. “For the first time since the 08-09 season, the #NHLBruins take the ice at TD Garden without Brad Marchand on their roster.” Yeah, you read that right. The TD Garden lights flickered on, the Bruins suited up, but for the first time in forever, No. 63 wasn’t in the mix. Fifteen years of grit, chirps, and clutch plays—and now, just like that, a new era begins.
For the first time since the 08-09 season, the #NHLBruins take the ice at TD Garden without Brad Marchand on their roster pic.twitter.com/FauVLYRX10
— Bruins Breakdown (@TCalauttis) March 11, 2025
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