Its been a stressful, hectic past six days for Boston Bruins SD’er Brad Marchand. He’s crossed the line a few times in the past week and his GM, Peter Chiarelli, has seen enough of Marchand’s extra curricular B.S.
On Saturday night in Vancouver, the Bruins were devoured whole by the killer whales on Hockey Night In Canada. Marchand embarrassed himself, his teammates and his head coach and his team along the way to a lopsided loss.
It was a 6-2 final. An impressive, total domination by Ryan Kesler and the Canucks, who beat up and had their way with the big, bad Bruins. Rather than tip his bucket and pay respect to his deserving opponent, Marchand chose to take the low road.when he put himself before his team and proceeded to taunt the Canucks’ bench with two of the most asinine gestures you'll ever see. He pretended to lift the Stanley Cup over his head, then, he kissed his Stanley Cup ring finger for all to see.
In his post game presser, Bruins head coach said that he will have a word with Marchand for his public display of affection for the Canucks.
On Wednesday, Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli told Joe Haggerty at Comcast Sports Net Boston that he has personally had a conversation with his 25 year old pest about his gong show act.
“I don’t throw any of it out (because it was Vancouver). I talked to Brad, and that’s all I’ll say,… said Chiarelli. “I wasn’t happy with it. But he understands.…
Chiarelli has bigger fish to fry right now then to have to call Marchand into his office to chastise him for acting like a fool in public. Chiarelli has been distracted this week by the news of Shawn Thornton’s 15 game suspension for assaulting Pens D Brooks Orpik two weeks ago. Chiarelli also had to deal with the fallout from the Milan Lucic incident that occurred in last weekend. Marchand was informed on Wednesday that he would not be facing a disciplinary hearing with the NHL Players Safety Department fro his hit-from-behind on Calgary’s Sean Monahan on Tuesday night. Chiarelli also has injury concerns on his roster to be addressed like the concussion issues of Loui Eriksson.
Marchand is mired in the drama and anxiety that are by products of his worst season of his NHL career. Bruins observers that I speak tell me that Marchand’s skating is an issue. He’s getting beaten to loose pucks that he used to routinely retrieve.
Marchand has only scored 5 goals and 14 points in 34 games. His head coach Claude Julien demands more production from Marchand.
Chiarelli , like Julien wants to see Marchand concentrate on scoring and defending rather than barking at and playing charades with the opponent’s bench.
“He’s a young player still, and sometimes you have those seasons,… said Chiarelli. “He’s fought the puck a little bit, and he’s been at wits end a little bit. You can see he’s frustrated with the situation. I go back over his last six or seven games, and he’s getting his legs back and his hands back.“It’s just about looking at it over an 82-game schedule, and figuring it out and being patient. Maybe he showed little signs of impatience in his game, but I think he’s coming around.…
The Bruins play in Buffalo tonight.
Sabres fans love to boo and heckle Marchand. They'll do their best to get under his skin and to make him blow a gasket to be sure.