Brad Marchand breaks silence on retirement speculation with strong comments
Photo credit: CBS News
With the ongoing speculation about Brad Marchand's retirement and next contract, it has sparked serious question about what is going to happen with Brad Marchand next season, especially after 3 major surgeries this offseason.
At age 36, he took a little bit of a step back last year offensively, but it was unknown knowledge that he played the entire season with a elbow injury that clearly affected his play. This season is a big opportunity to shut down the rumors that his decline is due to his age.
«I feel like as you get older - I've said this to a few people - I feel like you almost need to establish yourself like a young guy again,» Marchand said. «There's so much talk these days about as you get older, you can't play and teams don't want or don't like guys that are in their 30s or mid-30s, whatever it is. As you get older, everyone's trying to push you out.
«The young guys are trying to take your job and teams are looking to go young, and you almost have that same mindset, that you need to show that you can still play and keep up with the young guys and keep up with the new talent and the speed.
«So in some ways, I'm definitely a lot more comfortable coming in - understanding what it's like, what's expected - but in the same sense, you need to re-establish every single year you come in that you're still right there and belong and these young bucks aren't going to take my job.»
«So in some ways, I'm definitely a lot more comfortable coming in - understanding what it's like, what's expected - but in the same sense, you need to re-establish every single year you come in that you're still right there and belong and these young bucks aren't going to take my job.»
Nonetheless Marchand has nothing to prove, he is a Stanley Cup champion, captain of one of the the most decorated organization in hockey, and a clear future Hall-of-Famer, but fans are wondering if that drive and passion is still there and if he is considering hanging up the skates.
«It's very easy, especially as you get older and you've been around for a long time and accomplished a lot of things you want to accomplish,» Marchand said. «You feel comfortable in your financial situation to want to be around the house more, be with the kids, be involved in sports and activities and not be at the rink or the gym as often. That's where guys slip.
«The biggest factor is understanding that guys are coming in and gunning for jobs. It doesn't matter who you are. They're just as happy to take my spot as anyone else's.»
«The biggest factor is understanding that guys are coming in and gunning for jobs. It doesn't matter who you are. They're just as happy to take my spot as anyone else's.»
| POLL | ||
4 SEPTEMBRE | 43 ANSWERS Brad Marchand breaks silence on retirement speculation with strong comments Do you think this is Brad Marchand's last season in the NHL? | ||
| Yes | 8 | 18.6 % |
| No | 35 | 81.4 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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