Brad Marchand, the captain of the Boston Bruins, has cemented his place as one of the team’s most prolific scorers. His contributions to the team are impressive by any measure, making him a cornerstone of the franchise. Marchand currently ranks fifth all-time in goal-scoring with 401 goals, and he has a good chance of surpassing Rick Middleton (402) and Patrice Bergeron (427) next season to claim third place. Additionally, he stands sixth in games played (1,029), seventh in assists (528), and fifth in points (929) in the Bruins’ history. If he continues his current pace, he is likely to surpass David Krejci (1,032) and general manager Don Sweeney (1,052) in games played, potentially moving to fourth place all-time. Despite these remarkable achievements, it is crucial to set realistic expectations for Marchand as he approaches the 2024-25 season.
Last season, Marchand played all 82 games, a feat he achieved only once before in his career during the 2016-17 season when he tallied 39 goals and 85 points. He has consistently played in 70 or more games in four of the last five seasons, except for the 2018-19 season when he appeared in 79 games. The 2023-24 season saw a relatively healthy Bruins team, which had struggled with injuries in recent years, and Marchand was no exception to these challenges.
However, expecting Marchand to play all 82 games next season might be overly optimistic, especially considering he will be 36 years old. Although he remains a significant star in the NHL, age and his intense style of play will inevitably start to work against him. This does not mean Marchand will not be effective on the ice or that he will miss games for sure. It simply means that the Bruins need to manage expectations as the team transitions from a retooling phase to becoming a serious contender, bolstered by major offseason signings.
Marchand’s performance last season showed a slight decline, but this was his first season without Bergeron, a long-time linemate, down the middle. He also went through an unusual goal-scoring drought, which is unlikely to recur. Despite these setbacks, Marchand still managed to score 29 goals and accumulate 67 points, adding three goals and 10 points in 11 postseason games. These numbers indicate that Marchand remains one of the most impactful players in the lineup. Until he starts to show signs of decline, the team should continue to expect significant contributions from him, both in terms of offense and leadership.
Given Marchand’s importance to the team, the Bruins must handle him in a way that ensures he remains healthy throughout the season and into the playoffs. One approach worth considering is load management, although it is a controversial strategy. In recent years, NBA teams have used load management to give players rest, but this has drawn criticism from fans who pay to see star players in action. Additionally, too much rest can negatively impact a player’s readiness for the high demands of postseason play.
For Marchand, load management could involve reducing his ice time and shortening his shifts during games. However, it is challenging to keep him off the ice when the team needs its top players in crucial moments. Instead, a more practical approach might be to focus on how Marchand and the Bruins handle practices. Scheduled maintenance days, similar to the strategy used for Bergeron in the past, could help keep Marchand fresh throughout the season.
Ultimately, Marchand remains an exceptional player who does not yet appear to need special treatment to perform at a high level. However, ignoring the realities of aging would be irresponsible. The Bruins and Marchand must find a way to optimize his usage, balancing the need for his presence on the ice with the necessity of preserving his health and effectiveness for both the short and long term.
