Years ago, after I graduated college, I was watching what we called The Versus Channel. For those of you youngins' who don't know about extinct cable networks, it was the "manly" rebrand of the Outdoor Life Channel and would eventually retool as NBC Sports. After ESPN stopped airing the NHL, Versus took over.
On this particular night, the Flyers were playing somebody. One of the intermission commentators was Matthew Barnaby. Barnaby was a guy that every Flyers fan who lived in the 90s can say he was on our top 5 "Most Hated Opponent" list. He was a dirty, slimy guy who was always taking cheap shots. Not only that, he played for the Sabres and Penguins.
During the intermission, Barnaby said that while he knew Philly fans hated him, there was a part of him that always wished he played as a Flyer. He loved the passion of the fans and felt it everytime he was there, even though a lot of that passion was directed at booing him. Much like the Grinch, ny heart grew three times that day, and unless it was chicken wings or cheesesteaks coursing through m veins, I warmed up to him. Sure, I still think he was a jerk and a dirty player, but I imagined what it would've been like if he'd been a Flyer and, you know what, it might have been fun.
So why bring all this up? Well, one of our biggest villains is going to be a free agent this year. That's right, Brad Marchand. The dirty, arrogant, face licking Marchand, the epitome of why we dislike the Boston Bruins is going to be a free agent after winning a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers. It’s his second Cup victory after winning it with Boston in 2011.
Why Marchand?
So why would Marchand, a guy who turned 37 last month, a guy who is a bit small (5'9” and 180 lbs) be a good fit for the Flyers who are still trying some sort of youth movement? What is the point? There are three reasons why signing him would make sense.
First, despite his age, he's still got it. He scored 23 goals last year with 28 assists. Both are his lowest totals since the lockout shortened season of 2012-13. The 23 goals would place him fourth on the Flyers, behind Matvei Michkov, Tyson Foerster, and Travis Konecny, His 28 assists would be fourth on the team, behind Konecny, Michkov, Sean Couturier, and Bobby Brink.
His 51 totals points would trail only Konecny and Michkov. In this year's postseason, he turned it up, scoring 10 goals with 10 assists during Florida's Stanley Cup run. The Flyers need a clutch guy like that.
Secondly, there is his experience. He racks up points playing left wing, a position the Flyers could use help on. His abilities from the wing could help elevate the play of a younger winger, such as Foerster or Michkov. He played on a dynamic line with David Pastrnak for years and could help the Flyers young players become better. Think of the influence that Jaromir Jagr had in his one season.
Finally, being on the older side could be a blessing. You could sign him to a lucrative contract that might only last two or three seasons at most. It wouldn't hamper you down, like a long term contract would. By the time some of Philly's young stars would need to be extended, like Michkov, you'd have enough free money to do it. Plus, if the Flyers fail, you could easily trade a player like him to a contender at the trade deadline to stock up on prospects and/or picks.
Look, I know Marchand is a highly polarizing player. He's a pest, probably the biggest one in the NHL since 2010, but he gets results. He comes up in big moments (except when doing an overtime shootout!) and is great at drawing penalities. More importantly, would you rather have him play for the Flyers or against them?
For me, he'd be a great player to add to this roster on a short contact commitment. He'd be a great role model and voice in the locker room. He's also the kind of player that Rick Tocchet can use to help improve this team and play as feisty as he once did.