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Panthers' Brad Marchand Makes Shocking Admission After Maple Leafs Win

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Levine | Last updated May 19, 2025 12:06 PM ET

The Florida Panthers were able to outlast the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 7 of their second-round series. Florida will now move on to the Eastern Conference Final, where they will take on the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Panthers took it to the Maple Leafs on the road once again and sent the loyal Toronto fans home very unhappy. A lot of this had to do with the play from veteran Brad Marchand.

Marchand scored one goal and two assists in the game, adding to his Game 7 legacy. But after the win, Marchand revealed a shocking admission about his rooting interests growing up.

“Careers fly by,” he continued. “I’ve been in it a long time. I’ve been very fortunate. It’s almost over, right? I can’t believe how fast it’s gone by. I wish I was able to enjoy more moments and wish that some moments, looking back, I took for granted, I could take back. You don’t get that opportunity. So that’s one of them, like, I grew up a Leafs fan, and I really enjoy playing against the Leafs and enjoy interacting with fans. It’s fun. It’s not something I’ll forever get to do.’’

Marchand has relished the chance to take down the Maple Leafs throughout his career. After this year's Game 7, some started to call him the Maple Leafs’ executioner, but Marchand doesn't see it that way.

“I appreciate that, but I don’t look at it that way,” Marchand said, smiling. “If you look at the past, I actually haven’t played well in Game 7s against Toronto. I’ve just happened to be part of good teams that have had the upper hand, but if you actually historically look at the games, I didn’t play well; it wasn’t me that beat them, it was our team.”

No matter what Marchand wants to believe, he has continued to be a thorn in the side of Toronto. Even with the Panthers, Marchand continues to haunt this franchise.

And once again, Marchand and his team will be moving on to the next round, while the Maple Leafs are being sent home.

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

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