(Quebec) Longtime teammate Brandon Carlo says he has “all the attributes” of a captain. His former trainer Bruce Cassidy said he had the “perfect mix” of qualities required. But would Brad Marchand see himself becoming the 21st captain in Boston Bruins history?
“It’s not really something I think about. »
The declaration had its effect. During a press scrum last Thursday, a kind of amazement invaded the reporters gathered around Marchand, in the bowels of the Videotron Center.
The Bruins veteran was there at the invitation of his old accomplice Patrice Bergeron, co-president of ProAm Gagné-Bergeron, a charity match organized each year in Quebec. He spoke at length about his relationship with his center player, to whom he notably attributed a large part of his career success.
However, when he was asked about his desire to see a C appear on his uniform, he was circumspect. “Anyway, the decision is not mine,” he argued.
Marchand nevertheless appears as an obvious candidate, possibly the most natural suitor for the prestigious position. Boston media also mention the name of Charlie McAvoy, 25, 10 years younger than his famous teammate.
Putting aside his hot temper on the ice and his sometimes (often) strained relationships with NHL officials and the disciplinary office, Marchand seems to have it all.
His 14 seasons in the NHL, he played them all in Boston, where he won the Stanley Cup in 2011. He grew up following in the footsteps of Zdeno Chara, Mark Recchi, David Krejci, Patrice Bergeron… He was assistant to the captain for the past five seasons.
In a podcast interview two weeks ago, former Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy had nothing but praise for Marchand’s candidacy. “He’ll just have to learn to deal with the younger players coming into the league,” he said. This will be a challenge for Brad as he has high expectations of everyone. He’s like that. There’s nothing wrong with that. »
Brandon Carlo, who was also in Quebec City last Thursday, has been with Marchand for seven years in the Bruins locker room. He spontaneously delivered a plea for his teammate and, willingly or not, he echoed Cassidy’s words.
“There’s a lot of things he does off the ice that the public don’t see,” the defenseman noted. Over the years, I have seen him grow in his way of caring for the youngest and applying the lessons he himself has learned from the older ones. »
The principal concerned, he does not budge: “I never needed a letter on my jersey to be a leader, and that will not change, he decided. There are guys who are leaders, who lead by example on and off the ice, by their personality, the way they deal with situations, and they don’t have a letter. It’s something we see in our organization. It doesn’t show on camera, but in the locker room, it goes a long way. »
Carlo and Marchand agree on one point: the succession of Patrice Bergeron will not fall to a single person. This is true in terms of leadership, but it will also (and especially) be so on the ice.
With the retirement of the Quebecer, then that of David Krejci on Monday, the Bruins find themselves with a gaping hole in the center position. Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle are good players, but they seem like a poor alternative.
Barring a major trade, the Bears, squeezed by the salary cap, will have no choice but to go with this option.
“We have a lot of depth in goaltenders and in defensemen,” Marchand said. This is where you win games. And we still have a lot of power in attack. In fact, even if his offensive contribution were to decline, David Pastrnak remains one of the most threatening forwards on the circuit.
More than ever, we will have to rely on “Bruins hockey”, chained Carlo.
It used to be thought of as rough play, but the idea has evolved, he explained. “Hard work, good execution, everyone happy to come to work, positive environment,” the 6’6″ colossus said. No matter the changes, we will always show up and compete. There’s no compromise on that. »
Perhaps the most important legacy left behind by Zdeno Chara is this “culture” that continues to be passed on. “It’s our responsibility to take care of the group and what we’ve learned from our leaders,” Carlo said.
It is this recipe that has carried the team “for a decade”. And it’s the one that will still dictate the success of the Bruins.
In any case, it will be a motivated team. Because summer is “very long,” Carlo agreed. The Bruins, after a historic 65-game season, suffered elimination in the first round of the playoffs.
Several weeks after the shock, the pill is still “hard to swallow”.
“It’s a feeling to remember,” philosophized the defender. Because when we reach our goal, we’re going to feel even better. »
This objective has probably moved away with the retirement of the first two centers of the club. But it is not about to disappear. Not in “Bruins hockey,” anyway.
