Bruins after dark

Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney shared surprising thoughts about Brad Marchand, the Florida Panthers, and the Stanley Cup chase during a recent podcast appearance.

When Don Sweeney appeared on the “100% Hockey” podcast, he didn’t shy away from the hard conversation.

Trading Brad Marchand, the face of the Boston Bruins for so long, wasn’t something he took lightly.

Coming up to the NHL trade deadline, Sweeney knew things were heading in a tough direction.

Despite being a big fan of Marchand — and building a relationship that stretched back 20 years — contract talks weren’t going anywhere.

According to multiple reports, Marchand turned down several offers from the Bruins before the decision to move him was made.

The deadline was very challenging,

Sweeney said.

I have a 20-year relationship with Brad dating back to when he was drafted. … When it was clear that we weren’t gonna find a contract, we just felt that the best decision for the organization – and now maybe where Brad sits today – maybe the best decision for him to have an opportunity to go back into a high-leverage situation that he craves and thrives in.

With Marchand set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, Sweeney didn’t want to risk losing him for nothing.

Instead, they made the difficult call to trade him to the Florida Panthers — giving Marchand a real shot at another Stanley Cup.

Now, Marchand is fighting for another championship with Florida, while the Bruins were bounced from the playoffs much earlier than they hoped.

Even with the way it ended, Sweeney made it crystal clear: Marchand’s place in Boston’s history is untouchable.

His legacy will never be tarnished as a Boston Bruin,

Sweeney said.

In all likelihood, he’ll be in the (TD Garden) rafters and in the Hall of Fame.

It’s the kind of ending no one really wanted — but maybe, in a strange way, it’s the one Marchand needed.

And maybe, deep down, the Bruins needed it too.