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Brad Marchand 'Thanks' 18 Teams for Helping Panthers Win Stanley Cup

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 1:14 PM ET

Florida Panthers veteran Brad Marchand took his Stanley Cup celebration off the ice and onto Instagram, using his story to "thank" a long list of franchises that, directly or indirectly, helped the Panthers build their championship roster.

Florida arrived in the finals for the third consecutive postseason this June, and went on to hoist the Cup for the second time in a row after initially failing to win it in the 2024 postseason.

Marchand, who arrived from the Boston Bruins in a trade-deadline move, decided the best way to celebrate was by trolling as many organizations as humanly possible.

In total, Marchand gave nods to 18 different teams across the NHL, AHL, and even ECHL, ranging from organizations that let current Panthers walk in free agency to trade partners who sent stars to the Sunrise-based franchise.

Brad Marchand would like to thank the entire @nhl for helping bring this Panthers team together pic.twitter.com/kJeDZ8bnpB
— Mike Cugno (@MikeCugnoCBS4) June 20, 2025

“Thanks for the MVP,” Marchand posted in a jab at the Calgary Flames, referencing Conn Smythe winner Sam Bennett.

To the Carolina Hurricanes, he quipped “Mr. Waivers,” tagging defenseman Gustav Forsling, who Florida claimed back in 2021.

Marchand himself arrived in Florida just months after being named the captain of the Bruins, and tallied 10 goals and 20 points in 23 postseason games.

Florida’s 5–1 win over Edmonton in Game 6 of the finals sealed the team’s second straight Cup and also Marchand's second title throughout a 16-year career, the first one won during his rookie year in Boston back in 2011.

"You never know how things are going to play out," Marchand said. "I just wanted to come in and buy in and be part of the group and play whatever role I was put in and do it to the best I possibly can."

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

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