Panthers coach on Brad Marchand: 'We expect him to play'

Field Level Media|published: Fri 28th March, 11:38 2025

NHL: Boston Bruins at Pittsburgh Penguins

Mar 1, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) is helped from the ice by right wing David Pastrnak (88) and a team trainer after suffering an apparent injury against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice confirmed Friday morning that forward Brad Marchand will make his debut with the team later that night against the Utah Hockey Club in Sunrise, Fla.

"We'll get him through warmups and see," Maurice said, "but he's healed past that. We expect him to play."

Marchand, acquired from the Boston Bruins on March 7 for a conditional second-round draft pick in 2027, has not been able to play for Florida because of an upper-body injury.

Marchand, 36, has 21 goals and 26 assists to go with a minus-8 rating in 61 games this season. He had been Boston's captain since the beginning of the 2023-24 campaign.

A Stanley Cup champion with Boston in 2010-11 and a four-time All-Star, Marchand recorded 422 goals and 976 points in 1,090 games with the Bruins.

--Field Level Media