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Brad Marchand Addresses Stress Levels Before Oilers-Panthers Rematch

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 7:07 AM ET

The Florida Panthers are preparing for their third straight Stanley Cup Final appearance, and this time, they will feature a veteran forward bringing a very different perspective to the team.

Brad Marchand, who joined Florida from the Boston Bruins at the trade deadline, is playing in his first finals since 2019 and third overall.

Despite the high stakes, the 37-year-old said on Sunday that he feels more relaxed now than he has in years. Marchand spent his entire 16-year career with the Bruins and endured several high-pressure playoff runs that ended in disappointment.

This year, Marchand says the atmosphere in Florida and the team's recent success has allowed him to enjoy the experience differently.

If you read one thing before the Final begins, make it this story by @AmalieBenjamin. This story on Brad Marchand is proof for why developing relationships in this business matters. She covered Marchand’s entire career in Boston and now she can write this: https://t.co/2MHHkHpFcc
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) June 1, 2025

"I honestly feel less stressed now going into this Final than I did in the first round of the last five playoffs I was in," Marchand told Amalie Benjamin of NHL.com.

Last spring, Marchand and the Bruins beat the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7 of the first round before falling to Florida one round later.

Before that, in the 2023 postseason, the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Bruins were upset in Round 1 by the Panthers.

Now, Marchand is skating alongside the group that ousted his team twice. The winger said the shift has helped him approach this moment much more relaxed than in years past.

"I'm just so excited for it," Marchand said. "I'm not nervous about it at all. At the end of the day, however it plays out, it's going to play out."

Already 37 years old, Marchand brushed off any thoughts about retiring once his current contract ends at the end of the playoffs.

Marchand, however, acknowledged that this might be his last chance at winning another title.

"Statistically, it'll most likely be my last one; hopefully it's not, but that's just how this game works," Marchand said. "I'm just going to enjoy every second of it."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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