Boston Bruins’ Brad Marchand Considers Cement’s Legacy as All-time Great – Hockey Writers – Boston Bruins

After a season in which he was named team captain and played in all 82 games, Brad Marchand will have a chance to cement his place as a legendary figure in Boston Bruins history in the 2024-25 season.

Marchand, currently the longest-tenured member of the Bruins, will have to overcome a few obstacles on the ice to further cement his legacy as a standout player with the team, however.

Related: 4 Bruins Regular-Season Milestones to Watch for the 2024-25 Season

According to a report from Matthew Geagan of WBZ News in Boston, Marchand has undergone three surgeries recently: one to repair a torn elbow ligament he played through the 2023-24 season, another for a sports hernia, and another for a groin injury. . While Marchand has been practicing with the team, his start to making a real game has been delayed. However, according to Matt Vautour of MassLive, Marchand said he will be ready for the start of the season.

Regardless of the injury situation, Marchand is looking down at three upcoming events in the season: two will be crown wins, and one will be one that will put him on the elite team in Boston going forward.

Marchand Chasing Two Personal Steps

71. How many games must Marchand play in the 2024-25 season to reach the 1,100 game mark in the NHL.

After playing all 82 games in the 2023-24 season, and 73 and 70 the previous two seasons (giving him an average of 75 games per season) Marchand has a good chance of making a mark this season. If he hits the mark, it’s another story as everything depends on life as he is entering his 30s.

71 has another meaning for Marchand as it also represents the number of points he needs to reach 1,000 points in his career. Over the past two seasons, Marchand has scored 67 points. He had 80 points over the past three seasons, and 69 points in a COVID-19 shortened 56-game season.

Both of these milestones are within reach, but it’s only going to take until he can hit them, and there’s a chance he’ll move on to 2025-26.

Given his commitment to Boston and his ability to lead the team so successfully as a captain in 2023-24 and as one in previous seasons, Marchand is certain to see his jersey hoisted at TD Garden one day. Reaching the 1,100 game mark and the 1,000 point mark will cement his place on future Hall of Fame voting.

Another notable number that could help Marchand solidify his place as the best player for the Bruins is 24. No, Marchand is not changing his jersey number. After all, that number has been retired and was last issued to Terry O’Reilly. The number, however, has special meaning for Marchand within the organization’s ranks.

Marchand Closes Team Record Milestone

The number 24 represents the number of games that falls between his current career streak and the number that would tie him for fourth place on Boston’s all-time games played list.

This would put him ahead of David Krejci and Don Sweeney with 1,032 and 1,053, respectively. This should be a number, regardless of health, that Marchand should reach within the first two months of the season, or maybe even midway through the second month of the season.

The next person to pass that list will be Patrice Bergeron at 1,294. This would put Marchand in sole possession of third place on this list. While it would be impressive to see Marchand command this spot, it’s not something that can be achieved for at least three more seasons.

Marchand’s Other Activities for the 2024-25 NHL Season

Marchand will also be included in Team Canada’s roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament coming to Boston in January; he will be representing his country for the fifth time. He will also be looking for his fifth consecutive first place as a member of Team Canada.

Although Marchand’s performance on his national team has nothing to do with his legacy in the organization, it helps boost his reputation as a league-wide player.

Look for this season to be the season Marchand cements his legacy, with Boston and the league.