Matthew Tkachuk Reveals First Text to Brad Marchand After Panthers-Bruins Trade

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Spencer Garrett Ostrow | Last updated Apr 16, 2025 2:20 PM ET

The Florida Panthers are gearing up for what they hope to be their third straight run to the Stanley Cup Final.

This year's first-round playoff opponent is a familiar face: the Tampa Bay Lightning. For the fourth time in five years, the Battle of Florida will occur in the NHL playoffs.

While rosters have changed each season, the core pieces for both teams have remained intact. And this time around, the Panthers' bench will feature long-time Boston Bruins star Brad Marchand.

Marchand was traded to Florida at the NHL trade deadline in a shocker. He spent nearly 16 seasons playing for the Bruins, captaining them since the start of last year. With Marchand set to hit free agency this summer and unable to reach a contract extension with Boston, the two sides parted ways.

On Wednesday, Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk joined the "Up and Adams Show" and shared the first thing he texted Marchand after the March 7 trade.

"I texted him first when he first got traded out to let him know that we're super excited to have him and, you know, let's go finish the job this year…," Tkachuk said. "The competitiveness is obviously in everybody. But, once you become on the same team, it's an instant connection, and you have to if you want to win.”

Was it weird when Brad Marchand got to the @FlaPanthers after the whole Canada/US brouhaha??

Loved this from @TKACHUKycheese_ ...

Marchand + Tkachuk =RAT BESTIES.

pic.twitter.com/n5PuUmJRcE
— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) April 16, 2025

Marchand has played in 10 games for the Panthers so far, and none of them have been with Tkachuk in the lineup. Tkachuk has been sidelined with a lower-body injury since the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament in February.

He was placed on long-term injured reserve, but he’s trending toward a possible return in time for Game 1 against the Lightning.

"I will say it's been very good last probably few days on the ice," Tkachuk also told Kay Adams. "I've really only been on the ice for a couple days with like legit skates, so I'm just trying to peak come you know, sometime around game one, so looking forward to it."

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

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