The Florida Panthers are back in the Stanley Cup Final. They won their third consecutive Eastern Conference Final, beating the Carolina Hurricanes in five games. A key to the Panthers' success has been Brad Marchand, who came over from the Boston Bruins in a deadline-day deal. The former Bruins captain spoke with NHL.com's Amalie Benjamin about what forced his deal from Boston and his failed contract talks.

Marchand entered the season in the final year of his contract, something he never planned on doing. “I didn’t really want to play contract years out because I never really wanted to have that stress. I always wanted the security of maybe take a little less and you get a deal done early, and you have the security of it being done and you can just worry about playing hockey.”

But the Bruins spent most of last summer focused on keeping Jeremy Swayman, assuming contract talks with their captain would be smooth. But once the season went off the rails, the Panthers swooped in and snagged Marchand.

Article Continues Below
More Florida Panthers News
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dmitry Orlov (7) battles for the puck against Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov (16) during the first period in game five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center.
Panthers’ Aleksander Barkov speaks out ahead of Game 1 of Stanley Cup FinalTroy Finnegan ·
Oilers Stuart Skinner and Connor McDavid with the Stanley Cup prominently displayed in the center. Oilers, Panthers, Stanley Cup Final
Edmonton Oilers bold predictions for 2025 Stanley Cup Final vs. PanthersBryan Logan ·
Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) celebrates after a goal during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena
Panthers’ Aleksander Barkov beats out teammate to win 2nd straight Selke TrophyChristopher Hennessy ·
Brad Marchand and Sergei Bobrovsky. Stanley Cup in the center and predominatly displayed. panthers, oilers, stanley cup finals
Florida Panthers bold predictions for 2025 Stanley Cup Final vs. OilersBryan Logan ·
Edmonton Oilers left wing Warren Foegele (37) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the first period against the Florida Panthers in game six of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place.
Oilers’ fans gets shoutout from Panthers star before Stanley Cup FinalChristopher Hennessy ·
Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice on the ice after the third period and and win against the Carolina Hurricanes in game five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center.
Paul Maurice’s ‘powerful energy’ Panthers take on Stanley Cup Final vs. OilersBenjamin Adducchio ·

“I find when you go into a season playing (without a contract), things matter,” Marchand said. “Your stats matter more. So, it doesn’t just become about the team. When you’re on term and you’re on a contract, it can be all about the team and you can sacrifice whatever you need to be part of the team. But in contract years, you can’t do that. You have to be a little bit selfish.”

Before the deadline, Marchand has already secured his 13th consecutive 20-goal season. The Panthers knew he was a proven playoff performer who could still score and help replace the depth they lost in the offseason. He has done exactly that through the East Final and looks to win the second title of his career.