Brad Marchand says he's changed, and should be respected for his abilities

Following a three-game suspension for a slew-foot on Oliver Ekman-Larsson of the Vancouver Canucks, Brad Marchand of the Boston Bruins told reporters he's tried hard to ditch his reputation as a dirty player.

"I have tried extremely hard over the last four years to get away from the reputation I've had," said Marchand. "I think I've done an extremely good job at that. I know early on I crossed over the line a lot of times. It's unfortunate that continues to haunt me."

Despite the fact that this was his first suspension since January 2018, the NHL's Department of Player Safety stated Marchand's history of slew-foots and clipping was taken into account when deciding on his latest punishment. Marchand seems to believe that is unfair.

"I feel I've completely transformed myself from the player I was to a player that should be respected in this league for his abilities. I understand completely the history that I have. I just was hoping they would have seen past that. Obviously that wasn't the case," he said.

This latest suspension was Machand's seventh in his career. He's forfeited almost $1 million in salary over that time. I can understand where Marchand is coming from, and if he's truly trying to change, that's great. That said, he earned the reputation he got and it's going to be very tough to ditch that.

Brad Marchand on his suspension: "I have tried extremely hard over the last four years to get away from the reputation I've had. I think I've done an extremely good job at that. I know early on I crossed over the line a lot of times. It's unfortunate that continues to haunt me."— Fluto Shinzawa (@FlutoShinzawa) November 30, 2021

Marchand: "I feel I've completely transformed myself from the player I was to a player that should be respected in this league for his abilities. I understand completely the history that I have. I just was hoping they would have seen past that. Obviously that wasn't the case."— Fluto Shinzawa (@FlutoShinzawa) November 30, 2021

MUST READ

8 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Two Maple Leafs Reporters Have Tense Altercation on Mitch Marner's Market Value

9 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Nashville Predators Practice Takes a Nasty Turn as Players Fight On the Ice Due to Mounting Frustration

11 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks John Gibson Reportedly Willing to Waive No-Trade Clause for One Specific Team

12 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Toronto Maple Leafs on the Verge of a Significant Forward Trade Per Top NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman

13 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Connor Bedard Rapidly Losing His Confidence: Comments at Practice Worrying Fans

15 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Johnny Gaudreau's Wife Meredith Has Emotional Reaction to Beautiful Fan Tribute to Her Late Husband

17 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Brad Marchand Traded by the Boston Bruins? Top NHL Insider Lists Him as a Possible Player to Move

18 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Florida Panthers' Aaron Ekblad Loses His Cool and Insults Fan

MORE STORIES