The Boston Bruins have faced numerous challenges this season, including a coaching change, and now find themselves precariously close to missing the Eastern Conference playoffs.
A new potential issue arose on Friday when WEEI’s Rich Keefe reported alleged tension between star forwards David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand. According to Keefe, Pastrnak reportedly no longer wants to play on the same line as Marchand.
Marchand quickly refuted the claim when questioned about it, vehemently denying any discord between the two. He also delivered a scathing critique of Keefe, questioning the reporter’s integrity and professionalism.
“I understand reporters have a job to do, which is to report on the team,” Marchand said. “But usually, that involves facts. When outright lies are published, it becomes a real problem. The fact this guy has a platform to fabricate stories is embarrassing. There’s absolutely no truth to his claims. This is how you lose your job fast. The idea that he still has one after this is insane.”
Marchand further stated that Pastrnak is one of the most well-liked players in the locker room and dismissed any rumors of him causing problems. He concluded his response with:
“It’s very frustrating because this is what happens — we haven’t performed as expected this year. We’re not having the season we want. But I’m not going to let some random guy in the media spew complete nonsense. From now on, this guy has zero credibility.”
Marchand’s emphatic denial leaves little doubt about his stance on the matter.
This incident follows a 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, which extended the Bruins’ losing streak to six games. They’ve now dropped seven of their last eight and rank in the bottom half of the league standings. While they currently hold a Wild Card spot, this is largely because they’ve played more games than many of their competitors. By points percentage, four other teams would rank ahead of them for a playoff berth.
Over the past six years, Pastrnak and Marchand have frequently played together, forming one of the NHL’s most dynamic duos due to their elite offensive abilities and Marchand’s strong two-way play. However, neither has been as effective this season, mirroring the team’s overall underperformance.
Boston’s struggles have fueled speculation and rumors, but larger concerns loom. The team has yet to adequately replace retired centers Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, their scoring is insufficient, and starting goalie Jeremy Swayman has not lived up to expectations or his contract in his first full season in the role. These issues are far more pressing than any supposed locker room drama.
