Following a season the place he was named staff captain and performed all 82 video games, Brad Marchand could have an opportunity to cement his place as a legendary determine in Boston Bruins’ historical past within the 2024-25 season.
Marchand, at present the longest-tenured member of the Bruins, must overcome a couple of off-ice obstacles as a way to improve his cement his legacy as an all-time nice with the staff, nevertheless.
Associated: 4 Bruins Common-Season Milestones to Look ahead to in 2024-25 Season
In keeping with a report from Matthew Geagan of WBZ Information in Boston, Marchand underwent three surgical procedures within the offseason: one to restore a torn elbow tendon he performed by means of within the 2023-24 season, one for a sports activities hernia, and one other for a groin damage. Whereas Marchand is working towards with the staff, his begin to actual sport motion has been delayed. Nevertheless, in response to MassLive’s Matt Vautour, Marchand stated he can be prepared for the season opener.
No matter damage standing, Marchand is staring down three milestones coming into the season: two can be crowning achievements for himself, and the opposite can be one that may put him an elite group of gamers in Boston transferring ahead.
Marchand Chasing Two Private Milestones
71. That’s what number of video games that Marchand has to play within the 2024-25 season as a way to hit 1,100 video games performed mark within the NHL.
After enjoying all 82 video games within the 2023-24 season, plus 73 and 70 within the two seasons previous to final (giving him a mean of 75 video games per season) chances are high good that Marchand hits the mark this season. When he hits the mark is one other story because it all is dependent upon well being as he’s additionally getting into his later 30s.
71 has one other which means to Marchand because it additionally represents the variety of factors he wants as a way to make it to 1,000 factors in his profession. In every of the previous two seasons, Marchand has collected 67 factors. He had 80 factors three seasons in the past, and 69 factors within the COVID-19-shortened 56-game season.
Each of those milestone are attainable, however it’ll all boil right down to when precisely he is ready to hit them, and there’s a likelihood it could should stretch into 2025-26.
Given his dedication to Boston and his capacity to guide the staff so successfully each as captain in 2023-24 and as an alternate in earlier seasons, Marchand is all however assured to see his jersey lifted to the rafters at TD Backyard in the future. Reaching the 1,100-game mark and 1,000-point mark would solidify his place on a future Corridor of Fame poll.
One other notable quantity that might support Marchand in cementing his place as an all-time nice with the Bruins is 24. No, Marchand just isn’t altering his jersey quantity. In any case, that quantity is retired and was final issued to Terry O’Reilly. The quantity, nevertheless, does have particular which means to Marchand throughout the organizational ranks.
Marchand Closing in on Crew Document Milestone
The quantity 24 represents the variety of video games that sit between his present video games performed and the quantity that might give him sole possession of fourth place on Boston’s all-time video games performed listing.
This is able to put him forward of David Krejci and Don Sweeney with 1,032 and 1,053, respectively. This ought to be a quantity that, no matter well being standing, Marchand ought to conceivably obtain throughout the first two months of the season, or perhaps whilst early because the midway by means of the second month of the season.
The following individual to go on that listing can be Patrice Bergeron at 1,294. This is able to put Marchand in sole possession of third-place on this listing. Whereas it might be spectacular to see Marchand command this spot, it’s not one thing that’s attainable for an additional three seasons at the least.
Marchand’s Different Actions within the 2024-25 NHL Season
Marchand may also be featured on Crew Canada’s roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off that involves Boston in January; he can be representing his nation for a fifth time. He may also be trying to find his fifth-consecutive first-place end as a member of Crew Canada.
Whereas Marchand’s play representing his nation has nothing to do along with his legacy throughout the group, it does assist enhance his fame as an all-time nice within the league as an entire.
Search for this season to be a season that Marchand cements his legacy, each with Boston and the league.
