Bruce Cassidy: Brad Marchand has what it takes to succeed Patrice Bergeron as Bruins’ captain

Bruins

“Brad will probably be an awesome chief by way of main by instance, will to win, been there, executed it.”

When Zdeno Chara left the Bruins in 2020 after 14 seasons because the group’s captain, the selection was apparent as to who would get the “C” stitched onto their sweater shifting ahead.

However now that Patrice Bergeron has hung up his skates, Boston’s subsequent selection of captain could be a bit murkier to learn.

Despite the fact that Boston might decide to nominate a youthful franchise fixture like Charlie McAvoy into the position as captain, a veteran like Brad Marchand looks like the clear frontrunner.

Regardless of the 35-year-old winger’s intensive rap sheet on the subject of the NHL’s Division of Participant Security, Marchand’s veteran mettle, management and his standing as Bergeron’s understudy within the dressing room ought to make him the favourite for the captaincy.

Talking on “The Cam & Strick Podcast” earlier this week, former Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy vouched for Marchand’s candidacy. 

“I do,” Cassidy stated when requested if he believes Marchand can succeed Bergeron as captain. “Not that many guys are the right type of mixture of every little thing, proper? I feel Bergeron was good at that. He led by instance, he’s nonetheless the toughest employee in observe.

“Off ice, he made positive that everybody felt welcome and was teammate to 1 one other and set a few of these guidelines that Zdeno had put in place. However Brad will probably be an awesome chief by way of main by instance, will to win, been there, executed it.”

Cassidy, who coached Marchand each throughout his early years with the Windfall Bruins and later throughout his six years as Boston’s bench boss, has seen firsthand Marchand’s progress from a fourth-line pest into a longtime chief and probably the greatest left wingers within the NHL.

Despite the fact that Cassidy acknowledged that taking part in with an “edge” remains to be a foundational a part of Marchand’s recreation, his depth might additionally lead to a couple studying curves if he’s given the reins of a retooling Bruins dressing room.

“He’ll simply should discover ways to take care of the youthful gamers which are coming into the league and nonetheless haven’t discovered their traction, proper? That may be the one problem for Brad as a result of he’s acquired excessive expectations of all people,” Cassidy stated. “And that’s simply the way in which he’s. There’s nothing unsuitable with that.

“However how he communicates with these guys would in all probability be, my guess, could be his greatest problem if he’s the man and the course they go. Now, they might go youthful. They’ve acquired some core items there in Pastrnak and McAvoy that I’m positive they’ll take into account. However on the finish of the day, they’ve acquired good selections.”

As for Bergeron’s legacy in Boston, Cassidy believes that his affect will carry over into the following technology of Bruins expertise, particularly with gamers like Marchand, McAvoy, and others nonetheless carrying on.

“He’s the last word skilled,” Cassidy stated of Bergeron. “Regarded out for all his teammates, took care of his enterprise on the ice. … Marshy actually regarded as much as Bergy, so I feel he had an enormous impact on getting him to succeed in his potential. Didn’t need to let Bergy down, at all times wished to ensure he’s taking part in the proper method. After which Bergy began that with Pasternak.

“Pasta additionally had [David] Krejci, so he had a few guys he gravitated to, however that’s the kind of participant — not solely was he an awesome participant, he made individuals round him higher. And people often are the very best leaders. So only a high quality particular person which you can’t assist however admire for every little thing that he does on and off the ice.

“So I want him and Steph and their children all the very best. I don’t know what his subsequent path will probably be. It’ll be fascinating to see if he stays with the Bruins in some capability or simply type of strikes on from hockey. However Boston followers will miss him, I’ll let you know that. As a result of he’s an awesome, nice Bruin.”