Player Discussion Brad Marchand VI‎I

[Mainehockey33]

There's not many on our current team that could have played in that era. Small players had to be scrappy like Pie.

I didn’t watch that era but I bet Marchand could have played. His submarine move would have probably been legal in the 70’s and would have been his go to to avoid most hits. The Marchand of today would have skated circles around everyone in the 70’s, and that’s not a knock on those players.

 

[TCB]

This statement should warrant a life-time ban from any Bruin Board, Arena,Fan Club,Games,Bumber stickers,Newspapers,PJ's, basically anything related Bruin!

Obviously first thought for someone to say O'Reilly number shouldn't be up in the rafters, would be they must of never seen him play and all the blood sweat and heart he brought to every stride he had taken wearing the Black & Gold, second thought its a troll job but being this is a Marchand thread on-ward.

 

[BRUINS since 1995]

David Krecji is a better player for sure.But he would not have lasted 2 years in them days.Someone would have ended him.

Can’t say if DK would have lasted 2years in those days, but your point is true.... alot are to young and can not figure how tough and courageous was needed in those days to play the game. O Reilly today would be Wilson’s Caps x 2!

 

[Don Cherry]

I didn’t watch that era but I bet Marchand could have played. His submarine move would have probably been legal in the 70’s and would have been his go to to avoid most hits. The Marchand of today would have skated circles around everyone in the 70’s, and that’s not a knock on those players.

Marchand, Chara, Backes and Kevin Miller could have played back then. Marchand would never had to be suspended.

To say that Marchand would have skated circles around players from back then is true simply because of todays skates. Turk and a few others could fly even on the "tube" skates.

It's hard to compare players from different eras, but Terry O'Reilly is an absolute true legend and the most deserving of a retired number. The guy gave every ounce he had to the Boston Bruins.

 

[sarge88]

Can’t say if DK would have lasted 2years in those days, but your point is true.... alot are to young and can not figure how tough and courageous was needed in those days to play the game. O Reilly today would be Wilson’s Caps x 2!

The toughness is one aspect....the other is how the games were called.

When I watch any video of games in the 80’s and 90’s I’m still amazed at how much hooking, holding, etc. went on.

Kind of amazed that anyone scored, TBH.

 

[Mick Riddleton]

Marchand, Chara, Backes and Kevin Miller could have played back then. Marchand would never had to be suspended.

To say that Marchand would have skated circles around players from back then is true simply because of todays skates. Turk and a few others could fly even on the "tube" skates.

It's hard to compare players from different eras, but Terry O'Reilly is an absolute true legend and the most deserving of a retired number. The guy gave every ounce he had to the Boston Bruins.

Marchand would have been a better scoring Kenny Linseman. He was a great skater himself, did not have Marshy's finish but was a good passer and the 1st Rat.

 

[HockeyMomx2]

Marchand would have been a better scoring Kenny Linseman. He was a great skater himself, did not have Marshy's finish but was a good passer and the 1st Rat.

Kenny Linseman's shirt was the first Bruins sweater I got. I was 16, it was my first Bruins game, in the old Garden, against Buffalo. I had just recently been dragged from OR to MA, kicking and screaming the whole way. It was one of the numerous bribes I received as a spoiled teenager filled with anger over being moved 3,000 miles away from her heart and soul. LOL We lost. But Kenny Linseman made me a hockey fan that day and I never looked back.

 

[Dr Hook]

The toughness is one aspect....the other is how the games were called.

When I watch any video of games in the 80’s and 90’s I’m still amazed at how much hooking, holding, etc. went on.

Kind of amazed that anyone scored, TBH.

When you look back at it it can be tough to watch. I feel like you do- it's amazing that skill plays were still made. It also explains why guys like Lindros, Primeau, Neely, Iginla etc. were in such high demand and successful. You had to be a big, strong, skilled guy to deal with the Prongers and Hatchers grabbing, holding, hooking. What a mess. I find the game much more enjoyable to watch these days by comparison.

 

[Alberta_OReilly_Fan]

That's a lot of numbers off the board. I definitely agree that Chara and Bergeron are locks. After that, I don't know about Krejci and #46. O'Reilly really mucks things up when it comes to retirements because from all indications, #24 should not be hanging in the rafters. That honor should be reserved for The Best of The Best. Krejci still has some more years left, but as of right now I don't consider him a lock at all. Marchand is the same, and this coming from someone who watched Marchand as a little kid picking him out in Providence as his favorite Bruin haha.

Now, I will say that its time to implement a Bruins Hall of Fame. They're doing all these renovations to the TD Garden. Why not find a place to honor the great Bruins in history? You then reserve jersey retirements for those who truly deserve it, and can still honor those great Bruins.

wow

 

[Alberta_OReilly_Fan]

Nah it shouldn't. Way to grossly overreact though haha. You think I'm the only Bruins fan with that opinion?

I wouldnt think any bruin fan would have that opinion but if you were only a fan since 94 I guess I have to forgive the ignorance and trust thats why you are out here. usually you make much better posts than this

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

wow

Your shortest post ever. Its a miracle.

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

I wouldnt think any bruin fan would have that opinion but if you were only a fan since 94 I guess I have to forgive the ignorance and trust thats why you are out here. usually you make much better posts than this

I'm sure there's fans who don't think #24 should be retired. It's not ignorance. Just a differing opinion than yours.

 

[Alberta_OReilly_Fan]

I'm sure there's fans who don't think #24 should be retired. It's not ignorance. Just a differing opinion than yours.

the people who make the decision thought it should be retired. someone who became a fan in 94 doesnt agree. you didnt see the games but you feel it makes a mockery of the whole retirement thing. sounds like ignorance to me

 

[finchster]

I've said before and I stick by it. Retiring numbers of guys like Terry O'Reilly makes a joke out of the honor and ceremony. Simply put, it's people looking back on youth and feeling nostalgia for a player you liked growing up.

Teams know retiring numbers is good from a business standpoint too as it gives them an extra night to sell tickets at inflated prices.

 

[Chief Nine]

I'm sure there's fans who don't think #24 should be retired. It's not ignorance. Just a differing opinion than yours.

O’Reilly’s number is retired because he was what many fans consider to be the ultimate Boston Bruin player. He’s not up there for his numbers that’s for sure.

You can definitely make a case that retired numbers should be only for hall of fame type players and I wouldn’t disagree

 

[Chief Nine]

The feud continues

 

[BRUINS since 1995]

Marchand, Chara, Backes and Kevin Miller could have played back then. Marchand would never had to be suspended.

To say that Marchand would have skated circles around players from back then is true simply because of todays skates. Turk and a few others could fly even on the "tube" skates.

It's hard to compare players from different eras, but Terry O'Reilly is an absolute true legend and the most deserving of a retired number. The guy gave every ounce he had to the Boston Bruins.

can't say who or not have been capable of playing at O' Reilly era.... but Bergeron with no doubt would have been capable!

 

[Gee Wally]

Interesting discussion.

But, this is the Marchand thread.

Thanks.

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

the people who make the decision thought it should be retired. someone who became a fan in 94 doesnt agree. you didnt see the games but you feel it makes a mockery of the whole retirement thing. sounds like ignorance to me

Nope, I never saw O'Reilly play. I never saw Orr, Neely, Middleton, Bucyk, Shore, Hitchman, Schmidt, Esposito, or Clapper play either. I only saw Bourque play and I was really young so I don't remember too much. I've formed this opinion from knowing there are Bruins fans who saw the player play and don't think he should be up there, along with his rankings among the other greats in Bruins history.

He ranks 7th in Games Played
He ranks 18th in Goals
He ranks 9th in Assists
He ranks 10th in Points

What exactly about the above is really worthy of having his number hang in the rafters, and never worn again? I get it... He's the epitome of what a Boston Bruin is/was/should-be. He was a hard nosed animal out there. I'm not trying to say he's not.... He's one of the greatest Bruins ever. But when it comes to retiring a number forever, I just think there needs to be a line walked. Hell, Wayne Cashman has better numbers than O'Reilly and he's not up there. Should he be?

Every team has a player or two, or in the Celtics case 20, who probably shouldn't have a number retired.... Does Wade Boggs really belong up there for the Red Sox? Nope. I'm sorry I offended people with my take that O'Reilly really shouldn't be up there... I apologize to you especially seeing you are a huge fan of his.... He's in your name, so I struck a nerve there. I'm not the first person to think #24 shouldn't be retired, and I won't be the last. Hell, Finchster came in right after me and said the same thing haha.

A retired number should be reserved for The Best of the Best. If a good amount of people can go down a list of retired numbers and question whether a player should be up there or not, there's a good chance he shouldn't be up there. There were people with this past retirement of Middleton's #16 who felt he shouldn't be up there.... He trumps O'Reilly in every rank.

If you want to respond to this, just take it to the Ex-Bruins Thread.

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

Interesting discussion.

But, this is the Marchand thread.

Thanks.

Sorry, I responded right after this message. Is there a thread for this kind of discussion?

 

[Gee Wally]

Sorry, I responded right after this message. Is there a thread for this kind of discussion?

Former Bruins - EX Bruins Discussion Thread Part II All Talk Here..

As good a place as any.

 

[sarge88]

When you look back at it it can be tough to watch. I feel like you do- it's amazing that skill plays were still made. It also explains why guys like Lindros, Primeau, Neely, Iginla etc. were in such high demand and successful. You had to be a big, strong, skilled guy to deal with the Prongers and Hatchers grabbing, holding, hooking. What a mess. I find the game much more enjoyable to watch these days by comparison.

Agree, on the whole, but I’d also like a little more of the anger/dislike added to today’s game.

Over the last 10-15 years especially, I’ve felt like the animosity that I feel toward the Habs, Rangers, Leafs, Sabre’s, etc. isn’t matched by the players in the ice.

I never, ever felt like I hated the Habs more than Neely, Miller, Linesman, Byers, the whole team from the coach in down, really.

 

[TCB]

Brad Marchand shares a beautiful moment with his daughter.

 

[Bruinaura]

Well, he likes to live dangerously I guess

 

[Trap Jesus]

Anyone remember when we never used him on the PP, even when he had good offensive numbers? Good times.