Brad Marchand did not hold back in discussing the end of his time with Bruins
Brad Marchand returned to Boston wearing enemy colors on Tuesday night, helping the Panthers escape with a win. The Bruins started things off with a tribute video, and afterward, Marchand took time to thank the fans.
But it didn't stop Marchand from holding back when asked about the way his time in Boston ended during a postgame interview. Marchand said, "If we were to go back, I think both sides would have done things differently. ... I think I let my emotions handle some of the aspects of the negotiations, that maybe I would have done differently if I (were to) go back, but I wouldn't go back, I guess, if I could put it that way.
"I wouldn't do it differently if I could, because my family and I got to live some of the most incredible memories that we'll ever live through together."
Brad Marchand is right in his approach
When Marchand left Boston, the Bruins were in shambles, and he was part of that fire sale that conceded what was one of the most disappointing seasons in team history. After he made his debut in Florida earlier this year, it was clear that Marchand still had a lot of hockey left in him despite his advanced age.
Helping the Panthers snag their second straight Stanley Cup is a memory very few families get to share, and Marchand didn't get to share that memory the first time around when he won the Cup in Boston back in 2011. It's easy to understand why he felt going to Florida and winning his second Stanley Cup with his family watching was more than worth leaving Boston for.
Still, it doesn't take away the fact that, once Marchand eventually retires, the NHL world will remember him as a member of the Boston Bruins who happened to win a Cup with the Panthers. Boston is where Marchand became a legend on the ice and one of the NHL's most distinguished players, and where he spent the first 16 seasons of his career.
And it won't be the last time Marchand crosses paths with the Bruins, who visit Florida twice in the coming months. Once on Feb. 4 and again on Apr. 2. By that time, Marchand will be hoping he can help lead the Panthers back into the playoffs and pull off a three-peat.
Quinshon Judkins may force Browns to make surprising move at NFL trade deadline
The Cleveland Browns have to like what they've seen on the field from rookie running back Quinshon Judkins. The second-round pick has dashed for 467 yards and five touchdowns while also garnering nine catches for 62 yards in six starts.
The production from Judkins could prompt the Browns to consider trading veteran running back Jerome Ford, at least according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
"The youth movement is ongoing in Cleveland, where Quinshon Judkins is featured in the backfield. The Browns are open to dealing Ford, who has 1,463 career rushing yards and 12 scrimmage touchdowns. The tailback market hasn't intensified, though. Teams with needs at the position haven't been overly active -- at least not yet."
While Fowler discussed that Ford could be traded, it is worth noting that he only put the odds of that happening at 35%. He listed the Chargers, Patriots, and Texans as potential landing spots for Ford if the Browns did opt to trade him.
Jerome Ford could be a potential trade candidate for the Browns
Not only do the Browns have Judkins tearing it up on the gridiron but they also invested in another young running back in this year's draft by nabbing Dylan Sampson in the fourth round. Sampson only has 51 yards rushing so far this year but it was never going to be about this year for Sampson, unless injuries forced him into a bigger role.
Something working against this happening is, as Fowler mentioned, the market potentially not falling in Cleveland's favor. Another factor could be that the Browns value Ford in pass protection, which is not the case for the two rookies also on the roster. Is that enough to keep him around if a team comes calling though? That's what the Browns will have to decide.
With the two young players on the roster and Ford hitting free agency in the spring, it would make sense for Cleveland to try and get something in return for him while it still can. If he does get traded, the Browns have the depth to absorb the hit. If he doesn't, it's probably because a team didn't feel like giving up anything substantial for a running back that's about to hit free agency.
