Brad Marchand returned to Toronto this week with the Florida Panthers, and his presence sparked attention both on and off the ice. Florida lost 4-1 to the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena, and Marchand was pulled from the game due to a lingering injury.
Beyond his play, his comments about almost signing with Toronto and his thoughts on Mitch Marner’s trade kept fans and media talking. Even off the ice, Marchand continues to draw debate.
Paul Bissonnette Calls Out Brad Marchand for Provoking Maple Leafs Fans
Former NHL player and longtime Maple Leafs supporter Paul Bissonnette reacted strongly to Marchand’s remarks about his free agency and the Marner trade. On X, Bissonnette said, “All right, good morning Leafs Nation, Brad Marchand back on his bullsh*t, getting everybody on the hook right now. Do not believe a word that man says. He is so full of sh*t, his eyes are brown, and his breath stinks.” Bissonnette called Marchand a “king of the rats” and accused him of trolling fans, saying, “Do you think he was ever going to sign with the Leafs? No, he’s a fu**ing troll.”
Marchand had told reporters his free agency decision last summer came down to Florida and Toronto. “It was between Florida and Toronto where I was going to go,” he said, adding that Florida made the deal work despite cap constraints. He also commented on Marner’s trade, saying, “It’s unfortunate the fans ran Marner out of town. That’s a huge impact on their group. He’s a point-per-game player. That hurts.”
Bissonnette didn’t hold back in criticizing Marchand’s comments. “Right now, he’s back at his hotel, putting one in his belly button, having chuckles online before his pregame nap. So don’t let him get to your head. He wants nothing to do with the Maple Leafs, and we want nothing to do with him,” he said. Bissonnette also joked about putting a “bounty” on Marchand, calling himself “the pigeon prince” in contrast to Marchand’s “rat king” persona.
Marchand, 37, plays a gritty, aggressive style that combines skill with an edge, keeping him involved in every shift. Drafted by the Boston Bruins in 2006, he was traded to the Panthers in March 2025 and signed a six-year, $31.5 million contract. While he continues to contribute on the ice, his words off the ice show he still knows how to provoke fans and players.
Looking ahead, the Maple Leafs will face the Philadelphia Flyers on Jan. 8 at 7:00 p.m. ET. Toronto enters the game with a 20-15-7 record, aiming to extend its recent point streak, while Philadelphia sits at 22-12-7 and looks to maintain its momentum at home.
The matchup will test Toronto’s offense, led by Auston Matthews, against the Flyers’ defensive setup, as both teams compete for position in the Eastern Conference.
Thanks for that. He is a troll. Thanks for saying it in print