Brad Marchand has no goals and one assist since joining the Florida Panthers at the trade deadline. But coach Paul Maurice said he is not worried about the lack of production — or lack of chemistry — from the 36-year-old.
After all, it’s been just four games. Let’s talk after four rounds.
That’s why the Panthers were willing to give up a first-round pick for Marchand. Not because he was going to help them in the final weeks of the regular season. But because of what he could do in the post-season, where the Panthers are trying to win back-to-back championships and reach the Stanley Cup final for the third consecutive year.
Before that happens, Maurice must decide where Marchand fits best.
“I’m going to try to play him with as many people,” said Maurice.
Prior to coming to Florida, Marchand had played 1,090 games with the Boston Bruins. During that span, he had won a Stanley Cup and reached the final another two times. That’s quite the resume. It’s also quite a long time to spend with one team.
In other words, it’s natural to assume that there is going to be an adjustment period, where Marchand not only gets used to playing with new teammates, but also for fans to get used to seeing him in a jersey that is not black-and-yellow.
So far, there’s still a feeling out process.
“I feel exactly about where he’s at is where Vladimir Tarasenko was last year kind of when he came in with those six weeks and I played him with everybody,” Maurice told The Hockey News following a 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday.
“We’re going to be a little patient with it.”
Like Marchand, Tarasenko had pretty much spent his entire career with the St. Louis Blues before going to Ottawa and then getting moved to Florida at last year’s deadline. In the process, he went from being a top-line scorer to someone who played more of a depth role.
At his age in his career, Marchand may have to undergo a similar transition. But with Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov both missing from the lineup due to injuries, Maurice has an opportunity to experiment playing Marchand in a variety of line combinations.
“We’re really excited about a (power play) unit potentially with him Sam Bennett and maybe Carter (Verhaeghe),” said Maurice, who played Marchand on a line with Bennett and Evan Rodrigues against the Leafs. “We’ve got some moving parts here right now with players out of our lineup, so I think that continues until we get to hopefully to the playoffs and then we just make a decision and then go.”
Aside from his linemates, one of the biggest changes for Marchand has so far come in the ice time department. In his final games in Boston, he was logging more than 22 minutes. In four games with the Panthers, his time has been cut by about four minutes.
However, he’s been getting increased responsibility as his comfort level continues to grow.
“He’s fit in seamlessly,” said Rodrigues. “It’s always hard when you play for one team for 17 years or whatever it was. There’s obviously going to be a transition period, but I think he’s done a great job. He’ll continue to get better and he’ll continue to get comfortable.
“He’ll get to a point where he’s not thinking about systems or anything like that. The play will just come naturally to him.”
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