By: Declan Flavin | Follow me on Twitter / X @FlavinDeclan
With the Boston Bruins sliding down the mountain ahead of yesterday’s game against the Florida Panthers, the timing of the Brad Marchand reunion felt somewhat odd. There was a mix of nostalgia for Marchand’s greatest moments in Boston and regret over why he isn’t wearing the Spoked B for this team right now.
However, it was necessary for both sides to move on, as Marchand is at a more advanced point in his career than the Bruins’ collective at this stage. Amid what is now a five-game losing streak, the Bruins need support from players entering their prime rather than icons finishing out illustrious careers. And the sliver of good news is that Marchand believes what’s being built in Boston has a clear vision for its identity.
“They’re gonna be a really good team here. You can see they forecheck hard, they’re a hard team to play against in this structure, and their tenacity and intensity…” –Marchand on the Bruins’ outlook, via WEEI
Hearing positive feedback about the Bruins’ forecheck identity should be music to any fan’s ears. This is exactly what the organization wants its plan for success to be remembered for.
Head Coach Marco Sturm was brought in to develop young talent and connect with veterans, but he has especially embraced the mantra of being hard to play against above all else. This marks a gradual shift away from what has often felt like a unit attempting to be something it’s not. With alignment between Sturm and the front office, along with contributions from some of the newer players, the team now comes across to opponents as one that knows its capabilities and sets the tone accordingly.
At the same time, there is still much for the Bruins to clean up beyond the silver lining of an up-tempo forecheck, and the leadership acknowledges that. This is where the Bruins must build on the foundation and address other areas, whether through trades or in-season adjustments.
Marchand witnessed the other lapses of both young and veteran players in recent years, and he could probably speak to it if he could. Issues exist from the Bruins’ own net to the opponent’s, and until those are addressed, positive results will be harder to come by. The organization is sure to take note of the forecheck’s improvement and will likely try to combine it with a stronger approach around both net fronts.
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