Hockey fans across various franchises consistently display strong emotions regarding any developments involving their teams. When the Boston Bruins executed a trade sending Brad Marchand to the Florida Panthers just ahead of the NHL trade deadline, the reaction was one of sheer astonishment. Despite the swirling speculation about Marchand potentially joining a Stanley Cup contender this year, fans believed that these rumors would remain just that—rumors.
General manager Don Sweeney was compelled to make the trade, and when questioned about it, he disclosed, “Just had a gap. Deep down, we had been talking really from day two, I think, of free agency in terms of what his intentions were and where we were at. And we always had a bit of a term gap that took us a while and felt that we had been able to bridge that.”
Sweeney indicated that he and Marchand maintained regular communication, yet the circumstances ultimately resulted in the trade. So it was not surprising that the supporters felt this way. As the regular season nears its conclusion, Bruins fans are shifting their focus to a different player for the NHL Hart Memorial Trophy, moving away from Marchand. So, who is the individual in question?
On X, @benchrates reported, “David Pastrnak is the absolute league leader by iCF (533).” It’s Pasta; that explains everything! This season, the Czech NHL player has participated in 68 games with the Bruins, achieving 34 goals, 48 assists, and a total of 82 points. What is the process for awarding the Hart Memorial Trophy?
Throughout the regular season, when a player has emerged as the standout contributor, earning the title of the team’s MVP multiple times, he will be considered as a top contender. What criteria are used to establish this? The Professional Hockey Writers’ Association (PHWA) casts its votes to determine the winner, based on a tally of points awarded to players through the voting process. The announcement of the winner typically occurs during the NHL Awards, following the conclusion of the Stanley Cup, and is frequently awarded to top-tier forwards. But has Pastrnak experienced this trophy before? Not quite.
#NHLBruins David Pastrnak is the absolute league leader by iCF (533)
The closest pursuer is Cale Makar (506) pic.twitter.com/aRWCMmOfzb
— Benchrates (@benchrates) March 16, 2025
In the 2022-23 season, as the Bruins showcased their dominance throughout the regular season, Pasta emerged as one of the three finalists for the prestigious trophy. But Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid became the winner of the award. In the ongoing season, a glance at the goal leaderboard reveals that the Bruins forward holds the fifth position, marking him as one of the top scorers in the NHL. What are the possibilities, and how do the fans feel about this?
Focusing their attention from Brad Marchand to David Pastrnak
Brad Marchand certainly made his mark during his tenure with the Boston Bruins. Following his trade to a different franchise, Bruins fans are now rallying behind one of their own, hoping to see David Pastrnak lift that coveted trophy. A fan expressed, “Pastrnak doesn’t just belong in the Hart Trophy discussion, he should be a legitimate contender.” Despite some uncertainty, this fan maintains their faith in the Czech hockey player, expressing, “This is the ‘problem’ I have as a Bs fan….If by some miracle this team makes it to the dance Pasta should win the Hart. Zero debate in my mind BUT This team needs a high draft pick like I need air.”
This supporter expresses a desire for Pasta to emerge victorious but identifies a concern, remarking, “Unfortunately all awards now are just based on goals and assists, not on what the award truly means.” But how much did Marchand contribute to the Bruins? Let’s examine the current season closely. Marchand participated in 61 games before an injury sidelined him. Throughout those matches, he netted 21 goals, provided 26 assists, and totaled 47 points. Nonetheless, this represents merely one season.
Marchand has dedicated 16 seasons to the Bruins, participating in 1,090 games and achieving 422 goals, 554 assists, and a total of 976 points. He played an essential role within the team, yet the trade was inevitable. A fan highlighted a comparable scenario in which Pastrnak could secure the trophy, remarking, “To bad we don’t have the record if we sneak in the playoffs some how some way that happens I think that’s the only way he gets considered but he should be one with out that.” A different supporter commented, “If they make the playoffs, yes, otherwise no.”
As the regular season draws to a close, it remains to be seen whether the Bruins will secure a wildcard spot in the playoffs. Nonetheless, Pasta’s performance in these concluding games will be crucial if he aims to secure those votes.
The post Taking Over Brad Marchand, Fans Rally Behind Bruins Star for Hart Trophy appeared first on EssentiallySports.
