Florida Panthers center Brad Marchand (63) looks on against the Utah Hockey Club during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Brad Marchand makes big impact in Panthers debut

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Mar 28, 2025 10:40 PM ET

The Florida Panthers made one of the biggest moves at the NHL trade deadline when they acquired forward Brad Marchand from the Boston Bruins. Because he was injured at the time of the trade, they had to wait a few weeks before they could actually see him in their lineup.

They finally had that chance on Friday night.

He did not waste any time in making a big impact on his new team.

Marchand played 14 minutes in his Panthers debut, and along with recording four shots on goal and blocking two shots, he also recorded an assist on Sam Bennett's overtime goal to lift the Panthers to a 2-1 win against the Utah Hockey Club.

Here is a look at the play.

WELCOME TO SOUTH FLORIDA

In his @FlaPanthers debut, Brad Marchand sets up Sam Bennett for the @Energizer overtime winner! pic.twitter.com/vAlCNHaybn
— NHL (@NHL) March 29, 2025

Marchand is a potentially huge addition for the Panthers as they try to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the third year in a row and win it for the second year in a row.

Even though he is no longer at his peak, he remains a top-line scorer, a strong two-way player and one of the most agitating and frustrating players in the league to play against.

He is the epitome of a "playoff-style player."

Given that the Panthers already have one of the nastiest — and some might say dirtiest — teams in the league with Matthew Tkachuk and Bennett, the addition of Marchand only adds to the potential chaos they could present to teams in a best-of-seven series.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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