‘Ottawa’ Team Canada’s Brad Marchand adds Offence While Maintaining His Pesky Style of Play
Brad Marchand has become so much more than just a little shift disturber.
The 28-year old Boston Bruin had a breakout season in 2015-16 with 37 goals, more than all but five NHLers and more any other Canadian-born left winger except the currently convalescing Jamie Benn. He also had four short-handed goals, more than any player outside of Ottawa, and added six more on Boston’s power play.
“I think he definitely improved in all aspects of the game,” said Patrice Bergeron, Marchand’s centre in Boston. “He’s definitely an amazing player, but last year he definitely took a big step forward as an elite player.”
At the same time, Marchand hasn’t exactly cleaned up his act. He’s still a dirty SOB on the ice. He’ll still use his stick to hit you where it hurts. He’ll still pop a Sedin in the nose to throw him off his game. He’ll still do whatever it takes to win, to hell with the expense.
He hasn’t lost his, um, peskiness one bit.