“The Bruins are officially dead,” Paul Bissonnette takes swipe at Boston following Brad Marchand’s BLOCKBUSTER trade to Panthers

The Boston Bruins sent a heartfelt message to Brad Marchand following their ex-captain’s trade to the Panthers.

“The Bruins are officially dead,” Paul Bissonnette takes swipe at Boston following Brad Marchand’s BLOCKBUSTER trade to Panthers

Paul Bissonnette and Brad Marchand [Image Credit: iHeart/Imago]

It’s truly the end of an era in Boston. Friday dropped bombs on NHL trade news, with Mikko Rantanen being one of the hottest players to be traded to the Dallas Stars. The Boston Bruins also announced that they have traded their captain to their divisional rival, the Florida Panthers, in a blockbuster deal.

Brad Marchand was the last standing player of the Bruins 2011 Stanley Cup champion team, who is now heading to Florida for the rest of the 2025 season. Marchand’s trade to Florida came as a surprise to many, including former NHLer Paul Bissonnette.

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Bissonnette could not hide his surprise as “Mr. TNT” got traded to the Panthers on Friday. Both have been quite close on and off the screen and their banters often delighted the fans on-ice. 

The Bruins are officially dead. End of an era.

Paul Bissonnette on X.

Before confirming the trade deal, Bissonnette could be heard screaming, “Holy! I said get out of the East, Brad! I said get out of the East!” until he knew the official news. The Toronto Maple Leafs were one of the top teams to acquire Brad Marchand, but they ended up losing the ex-Bruins captain to their divisional rival.

Bruins manager Don Sweeney said they will be trying their best to rebuild the team and compete at the highest level in the playoffs. Marchand, along with the rest who have been traded, were only part of the rebuilding as they wish to “change the direction of things.”

Boston Bruins pens emotional message following Brad Marchand’s trade

Brad Marchand’s next chapter will start with the Florida Panthers following a three to four weeks rest due to upper-body injury in game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Boston Bruins waved goodbye to their captain and longtime star player with a heartfelt message on social media.

Bard Marchand
Bard Marchand [Image Credit: Imago]

Marchand has been with the Boston Bruins all his career until now, since his 2006 NHL Draft. The Bruins took to X and Instagram, thanking him, saying, “You will forever be a Boston Bruin.”

Brad, for 16 years you have represented the Spoked-B with immense pride and passion. You set the tone every night with your intensity and drive, while becoming one of the best players in the history of our franchise.

Boston Bruins on X.

The team also traded Charlie Coyle to the Colorado Avalanche, Brandon Carlo to the Maple Leafs, Trent Frederic to the Edmonton Oilers, and Justin Brazeau to the Minnesota Wild. Among the core players, David Pastrnak, Jeremy Swayman, Charlie McAvoy,  Hampus Lindholm, Pavel Zacha, and Jakub Lauko remain.