Brad Marchand was torn between the Panthers and the Leafs last summer

Marc-Olivier Cook
Brad Marchand was torn between the Panthers and the Leafs last summer
Credit: Getty Images

Last summer, Brad Marchand had a decision to make.

The man we all love to hate was free as a bird and needed to find a new team. He finally signed a new deal in Florida, which came as a bit of a surprise to everyone, because we didn't think the Panthers had room to keep him on the team.

That said, Marchand was hesitating between two clubs: the Panthers, and… the Toronto Leafs.

Can you imagine Marchand in a Leafs uniform? Just thinking about it makes me want to have nightmares.

And I'm sure I'm not the only one either. It would have been… something.

But Brad Marchand – true to form – also criticized the Leafs after saying he thought about signing for Toronto last summer.

He said that the Leafs are playing the right way… but that it's a shame to have seen the fans take Marner out of Toronto. He said it without being embarrassed, and it's an arrow aimed at the club's fans in the Queen City.

Classic.

Clearly, Brad Marchand won't be making any new friends with his outing today. And I also wonder how much seeing Marner leave played a role in his decision… even if he wasn't sure he could sign a new contract with the Panthers.

But in the end, he got what he wanted. Marchand, 37, signed a six-year contract that will allow him to play in Florida for the rest of his career.

There aren't a thousand and one ways to end an NHL career… but playing in Florida for a club like the Panthers and enjoying the sun year-round is one of them.


Overtime

– Yikes.

– Hello, David!

– Well done.

– Yikes.

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