Brad Marchand’s much-anticipated debut with the Florida Panthers ended in a victory for the reigning Stanley Cup champions. However, it wasn’t just the win over the Utah Hockey Club that grabbed attention. During the game, captain Aleksander Barkov was spotted laughing at his new teammate, former rival Brad Marchand, on the bench—leaving fans curious about what sparked the amusing moment.
During the second period of Friday’s game, cameras captured Barkov laughing while sitting next to Marchand during a stoppage in play. The announcer remarked, “I want to know what Barkov’s laughing at, sitting next to Marchand on that Panthers’ bench.” Meanwhile, Marchand remained completely serious, as did head coach Paul Maurice.
After the game, Panthers reporter Katie Engleson shed some light on the moment. Barkov explained that Marchand’s signature trash talk—once aimed at him—was now being used against their opponents, and he couldn’t help but find it amusing.
Barkov shared that his smile was a reaction to a comment Marchand directed at an opposing player. “I suddenly realized I’ve heard this so many times from a certain Boston player, but now it’s coming from my own teammate,” he said. “When they announced Marchand in the starting lineup, I just sat there thinking, ‘Is this real?’ You go from battling against him to having him as a teammate overnight. It’s crazy—but also pretty awesome.”
Seeing Marchand in a Panthers jersey is still an adjustment for many fans—and even his new teammates. A Boston Bruins legend, Marchand spent over 15 seasons with the team before being unexpectedly traded to Florida just before the deadline. The move marked an abrupt and surprising end to his long tenure in Boston.
His debut with the Panthers was delayed due to injury, but when he finally took the ice, he wasted no time making an impact, assisting on Sam Bennett’s overtime game-winner.
Brad Marchand Makes Strong Debut for Panthers
Brad Marchand made his much-anticipated debut for the Florida Panthers, logging 16 minutes and 30 seconds of ice time. He recorded four shots, two hits, and two blocked shots, seamlessly fitting into his new team’s lineup. Captain Aleksander Barkov was already impressed—not just with his play, but with how quickly Marchand embraced his signature trash talk as if he had been part of the team for years.
“(Marchand) hasn’t played for a month now, and he steps right in, dominating and controlling the game,” said Sam Bennett. “That’s tough to do in your first game back, especially on a new team.”
The Panthers’ victory temporarily pushed them to the top of the Atlantic Division, though the Toronto Maple Leafs reclaimed first place with a win over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.
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