Brad Marchand labelled as traitor ahead of Bruins’ homecoming

Just before the opening of free agency earlier this month, Brad Marchand signed a six-year, $31.5 million contract extension with the Florida Panthers, staying put with the team that got him his second Stanley Cup championship. There was hope that he would return to the Boston Bruins, who traded him down South at the March deadline, but Marchand decided to remain a Panther.

He will however to Boston, as the enemy, in the first days of the 2025-26 season, and the NHL Network recently discussed Marchand returning to TD Garden on Oct. 21 to face off against the Bruins for the first time since they traded him to the Panthers. And his return is clearly dividing hockey fans in Boston.

Former NHLer now analyst Mike Rupp believes that the Boston faithful will embrace their former star, though some might see him as a traitor despite the Bruins being the main culprits in the transaction to Florida.

"I think fans again, they're going to cheer him. I mean, he's a fan favorite. We talked about great another guy we were talking about, someone, the greatest Boston Bruins to play the game and in that sweater.

“So yeah, I think they're going to be giving him a standing ovation.”

However, Rupp also thinks the mood could change as he expects Marchand will break the hearts of Bruins’ fans on October 21st.

"He'll probably ruin their night, going out there, getting two goals and an assist, and getting under the skin of the Boston Bruins," before adding: "But he was an awesome Bruin, and he's an awesome Cat now."

NHL analyst E.J. Hradek went on to remind fans what was the root of Marchand’s trade from Boston, and how it simply made sense for him to re-sign in Florida as it felt unlikely he would get as much term on a contract with the Bruins.

It was a tough breakup between the Bruins and Marchand, who may get labelled as a traitor once he show up on TD Garden ice with a Panthers’ jersey. However, you can take away from him everything he’s done for Boston, and I honestly hope fans will remember that when he comes back on October 21st.

What do you believe will be the reaction in Boston when Marchand comes back?