This is not the first time the Maple Leafs are looking at a Florida Panthers player to solve their problems. Brandon Montour and Chris Tanev were on the Leafs’ radar in the 2024 offseason. And guess what? The Maple Leafs think yet another Panthers guy holds the key to their success. But this time, unlike in 2024, it’s not a defenseman. Big rat Brad Marchand is the wanted man.
The Panthers needed some inspired trades before the 2025 March Trade Deadline, and boy, did Bill Zito deliver. Two big incomings – Seth Jones strengthened the Panthers’ D-zone, and with Brad Marchand, the defending Stanley Cup champions are looking like they will go all the way again. If anything, the former Boston Bruins veteran looks rejuvenated with his new team. Are the Leafs looking in the right direction? Well, 2 former NHL players definitely think so.
TSN hosts Bryan Hayes and Jeff O’Neill were playing their favorite game, ‘Confirm or Deny,’ on the Overdrive program, shared to YouTube on May 27. And the Brad Marchand-Maple Leafs interest topic came up. “Confirm or deny – the Maple Leafs should be all in on Brad Marchand on July 1st,” was Bryan Hayes’ question. Well, they didn’t just approve it; they are saying the Maple Leafs need it.
Hayes said, “I confirm it. 100%. 110%.” And Jeff O’Neill, AKA O-Dog, who has played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, says the Maple Leafs need personalities like Evander Kane, Brad Marchand, and the like in the locker room. “If you look at that Evander Kane, I’m pretty sure not everyone’s his best friend, you know what I mean. He doesn’t seem like a lovey-dovey guy where every morning, it’s good morning. … He just got an edge to him, and he goes out and he’s a different player, and I think you need that.”
NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA Stanley Cup Playoffs-Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs May 5, 2025 Toronto, Ontario, CAN Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand 63 skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period of game one in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Toronto Scotiabank Arena Ontario CAN, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJohnxE.xSokolowskix 20250505_jhp_ss9_0252
In fact, the former NHL forward says that characters like Kane and Marchand instill the winning vibe in the locker room. “I’m pretty sure (Connor) McDavid and (Leon) Draisaitl appreciate having Evander Kane around because he probably says some things that needed to be said that they don’t want to say. … I don’t know, you have a bunch of nice guys around. You know what the results that a bunch of nice guys provide – absolutely zero.”
And Bryan Hayes even doubled down on Brad Marchand, saying he would make Marchand the alternate captain. That’s some faith: “I’m 100% confirmed and not only that. I’m doing everything I can to bring him here. I’m strapping an A on his jersey immediately. And I think you need a guy like Marchand who’s different, who’s got a totally different personality and vibe.”
Are they saying the Maple Leafs don’t have the winning zeal in the locker room? Well, O-Dog’s point is that the Maple Leafs don’t have anyone in the locker room who has won the Stanley Cup before. So, they don’t know what it takes? “They’ve decided, the Maple Leafs in the past, to bring in the veteran guy that hasn’t won yet, as opposed to the guy who has won, for the most part … It’s been like the guy who’s craving it but doesn’t really know how to do it.”
NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA Stanley Cup Playoffs-Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs May 18, 2025 Toronto, Ontario, CAN Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand 63 talks to the media during the post game media conference following game seven of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. Toronto Scotiabank Arena Ontario CAN, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJohnxE.xSokolowskix 20250518_tbs_ss9_143
In fact, O-Dog thinks the Leafs missed an opportunity before, when they could have added a Cup winner. “They should have signed Corey Perry when, by all accounts, he wanted to be here. He’s a winner. He’s won cups. And all he does is keep playing.” Continuing, the TSN host added, “Marchand, I know that’ll be the argument – well, he’s not young. He’s not. And it might cost you a couple years at whatever, but he’s actually won, he knows how to win, and he brings a completely different attitude.”
Well, the Maple Leafs have the thumbs-up from these 2 gentlemen, but guess what? Brad Marchand might just not be available.
The Florida Panthers locker room is taking good care of Brad Marchand
Brad Marchand probably didn’t think he would be having such an amazing run at the Panthers, the team he has fought against playing for the Bruins. But the Panthers’ locker room is happy he is here. “Now that he’s on our side, it’s just, I don’t want to say relief, but it’s really fun to watch,” Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov had said after Marchand’s exploits in the playoffs against the Maple Leafs.
And for the 37-year-old, the experience at Florida has been equally wholesome. “The group is incredible. And it’s a very easy group to feel at home with.” Talking about the locker room unison, the center said, “One of the biggest things that I noticed when I came in here is the way the guys work. And when you work that way, you work the way this team does, you know, you have a lot of fun, and you build a lot of unity together because of that.”
Credits: Instagram/@flapanthers
Brad Marchand is in the Florida Panthers locker room, and somehow, it has worked out for everybody at the franchise. Bill Zito is getting accolades for bringing him. Paul Maurice is so happy the newcomer veteran is acting as a role model for Anton Lundell and the like. And with that 5 ft 9 in frame, Marchand goes to war for his team like he’s David, fearless and unstoppable.
Nothing points towards the Maple Leafs getting a chance to land Brad Marchand in the offseason. Well, maybe the promise of an outrageous contract can sway the Canadian. But before that, the 37-year-old will do everything in his power to win his 2nd Stanley Cup.
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