Panthers' Brad Marchand Off to a Hot Start
The Florida Panthers have had a somewhat rocky start to the 2025-26 season, currently holding a 5-5-0 record. Despite the team's average performance, one player has been a standout: Brad Marchand. The veteran forward is off to a blazing start in his first full season in South Florida, leading the team in both goals and points.
Through the first ten games, Marchand has tallied a team-high 11 points, with five goals and six assists. He has consistently made an impact on the scoresheet, recording points in eight of those games. Marchand also boasts a three-game point streak and has accumulated seven points in his last six games. Furthermore, he is second on the team in power-play points, with one goal and three assists.
Marchand's impressive start is a significant boost for the Panthers, especially with Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk dealing with injuries. After a less productive offensive showing with the Bruins last season, Marchand is stepping up and helping to fill the void for Florida.
However, Marchand's absence will be felt as he is currently taking a personal leave due to a death in his family. He missed the game against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday, and the length of his absence remains unknown. In his absence, Mackie Samoskevich has been placed on the second line, playing alongside Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen.
Before his leave, Marchand's linemates played a role in his success. He was placed on the third line with Eetu Luostarinen and Anton Lundell during the previous season's playoffs. That line proved to be explosive, amassing 57 points during that postseason run.
Despite the Panthers' current position outside of the top playoff spots, the team believes they are heading in the right direction. They currently rank eighth in the NHL with an expected goals percentage of 54.05%, suggesting that better results may be on the horizon. As defenseman Niko Mikkola stated, "We've got things to improve and build on, but every team is giving their best against us. There's no free points in this league. We need to battle for every point".
Marchand's strong start to the season provides a silver lining for the Panthers. His performance is a testament to his skill and determination, proving that age is just a number. Once he returns from his leave, the Panthers will look to Marchand to continue his high level of play and help propel the team toward their goal of winning a third consecutive Stanley Cup.
