Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Brad Marchand (63) during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game against the United States at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Photo credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Brad Marchand sat for Canada’s last two games and though it may have been to add some youth, we now know there was something else going on with the veteran forward.

Led by the likes of Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon and a whole slew of other superstars — it’s hard to bet against them.

One player who hasn’t been involved lately however is Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand, as he has been scratched the previous two games.

Marchand dealing with injury but good to go for quarterfinals

Initially thought to be a move to get some youth and speed into the lineup, it sounds like it was a little more than that according to head coach Jon Cooper.

Cooper explained the reason behind benching Marchand wasn’t all due to getting Seth Jarvis in the lineup, but because Marchand has been dealing with a nagging injury:

While the extent of the injury is unclear, it is possible he reaggravated what he was dealing with earlier in the season which caused him to miss a couple games.

Marchand helps Canada get one step closer to Olympic gold

Canada is going to need him to not only be healthy, but be that typical pesky Marchand that we all love to hate but nonetheless respect. He’s still a top player who adds another agitator to a lineup filled with no-nonsense guys.

Marchand has solid in the first game of the tournament as he scored a goal, so putting him back in even on the third or fourth line isn’t a bad idea especially knowing that Sidney Crosby or Bo Horvat would be his center.

For Marchand, it’s also probably great to get back in on a personal note, as it may likely be the last Olympics he is able to take part in, unless he is able to keep up his current pace at 40 years old when the next one rolls around.

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