Suspended Marchand Lets Bruins Down, Costs Self Chance To Change Opinions In Winter Classic
BOSTON (CBS) - Bruins forward Brad Marchand has been trying to become more of a leader this season.
The Bruins rewarded him for his efforts Tuesday by letting him wear an alternate captain's 'A' on his sweater for the first time in his eight seasons in the NHL in place of the injured David Krejci against Ottawa.
With one quick act, Marchand made everyone wonder how many words other than alternate that 'A' stood for. During the first period, Marchand low bridged Senators defenseman Mark Borowiecki. The defenseman played the rest of the game, but he was shaken up. There was no doubt it was a needless hit by Marchand.
Marchand received the ultimate punishment Wednesday – a three-game suspension for clipping. Although the length might be short compared to other suspensions handed out over the years, this one includes the Winter Classic. And so the Bruins will take on the Montreal Canadiens on Friday at Gillette Stadium without their leading goal-scorer Marchand.
The severity of the punishment took into account Marchand's three prior suspensions and his fine from earlier this season. Of course, what the NHL has done to Marchand probably pales in comparison to what coach Claude Julien wants to do to the speedy forward. Julien has been trying to trust Marchand more. Earlier this season he placed Marchand on a line with Ryan Spooner and Jimmy Hayes because the coach wanted Marchand to take a couple younger players under his wing. Then Julien gave Marchand a letter against the Senators and the player bit the hand that fed him.
Maybe Marchand will never learn. Something he said after the morning skate Tuesday resonated after Marchand clipped Borowiecki on Tuesday night. Marchand was asked about being on his best behavior since a foolish roughing penalty against Washington on Nov. 5 cost the Bruins a game. Teammates said Marchand was apologetic after that game and showed the type of contrition you expect from a future alternate captain. But Marchand didn't want to call that night in D.C. a turning point.
"Yeah, but I mean that stuff happens in hockey," Marchand said. "Emotions are high and I don't think it was a big turning point or anything. I was working towards it [being better behaved] before that and sometimes you take a step back. It's part of my personality, doing things like that. So it's going to happen and you just have to bounce back from it."
Basically his attitude was "stuff happens." And then stuff happened.
It's too bad that Marchand will seemingly never learn his lesson, and he'll never do enough to alter his "personality" so that he can become a great player and be respected like one. Coming up through the Bruins' system he was seen as a pest and he started out on the fourth line when he reached the NHL. He proved he was more talented than an energy player and became the perfect sidekick for Patrice Bergeron, who ironically is 180 degrees different personality-wise.
Marchand has battled inconsistency throughout his career, but he has produced more often than not. This season he was really coming into his own with 15 goals and several highlight-reel caliber plays. His confidence has been through the roof. The Winter Classic was going to be a chance for him to show a national TV audience and all the League, and even non-hockey fans watching the outdoor game, that he was now a great talent with a pesky streak rather than the other way around.
"I think a lot more people watch that game than most," Marchand said Tuesday. "So if certain guys have a big game that night, then you might be able to get your name out there a little bit more. Obviously it's big for the team as well. So hopefully everyone has a big night that day."
Marchand will not have a big game in the Winter Classic. He won't get a chance to seek revenge against Washington on Tuesday and he won't get to face the Devils next Friday. He won't be able to score a spin-o-rama goal or leave a Montreal defenseman in the dust with a deke or behind-the-legs move.
No one will get to see a new Brad Marchand shine at center stage, because there is no new Brad Marchand. He's just the same old guy who wants to be a pest as much as he wants to be a player, and has crossed the line so many times he's no longer pesky, he's dirty.
Marchand let the Bruins down before a marquee event and an important game. He made a mockery of the letter on his sweater. In a more just world, the Bruins might consider adding some games to this ban.
Going forward the Bruins are going to have to keep him on a tighter leash for this season and pretty soon determine if he's really a foundational player to build around for the rest of the decade.
Matt Kalman covers the Bruins for CBSBoston.com and also contributes to NHL.com and several other media outlets. Follow him on Twitter @TheBruinsBlog.
