Panthers’ Brad Marchand Off to a Hot Start

The Florida Panthers are off to an average start to their 2025-26 season. Currently, they sit in the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. They trail the Washington Capitals for the top wild card spot by two points and the Ottawa Senators for the final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division by one point. This is with a record of 5-5-0 with ten points. They look to be the first team since the early 1980s New York Islanders to win three straight Stanley Cups.

One player who has stepped up in a huge way through the adversity before the season started is one of the newer faces on the team. That being Brad Marchand, who has been turning the clock backwards to start the season. His new six-year, $31.5 million extension he got this offseason is already paying massive dividends.

The Rat Is on a Roll

Arguably the most controversial player in the league, Marchand is off to a hot start to his 2025-26 campaign.

Through all ten games Marchand has played this season, he leads the team in goals with five and assists with six, averaging over a point per game. He is also on a three-game point streak and has piled up seven points in his last six games. In addition, he is second on the team in power-play points with four (a goal and four assists). He has only gone pointless in two games so far this season. An awe-inspiring start for the seasoned veteran.

Marchand’s Linemates Have Helped With His Success

When he came into the fray last season, Marchand was put on the team’s third line with Eetu Luostarinen and Anton Lundell during the playoffs. That line exploded with 57 points (21 goals, 36 assists) through that postseason run.

Regardless, Marchand stepping up is huge for the team’s morale. At 37 years old, he looks just as good as he was when he was winning a Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins alongside Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara. If he can help get it done with his current squad, it’ll be the third time in his career that his name has been etched onto Lord Stanley’s holy grail.