Concerns mount over Brad Marchand's health following his return to the ice for the Boston Bruins

Concerns are mounting about his fitness as Marchand didn't seem fully recovered during the Bruins' captain skate.

NHL insider Chris Johnston attended the practice and noted that Marchand, 36, was not skating at full capacity. While he urged fans not to 'read too much into it,' he acknowledged that it was clear the veteran winger wasn't operating at 100%. Johnston explained:

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Marchand underwent three separate surgeries to repair injuries he played through last season. Although none of the procedures were described as major, the cumulative toll on his body at 36 years old could be significant.

Footage of Marchand skating alone at the captain's practice was shared on X (formerly Twitter), where fans could see how he moved on the ice. While the NHL season is still a month away, the footage is worrying as he didn't appear particularly close to full health. However, as Johnston pointed out, at his age, a longer recovery period is to be expected.

The primary question surrounding Marchand is how effective he will be once fully healthy. Will he regain the form that made him a top player, or will his age and surgeries catch up with him? Last season, there was a slight drop in his production, as he focused more on goal-scoring than playmaking. Will this trend continue, or can Marchand still be a key contributor for the Bruins?

As the Bruins prepare for the new season, they will be closely monitoring their captain's recovery and performance, especially as Marchand enters the final year of his current contract. His legacy as one of Boston's most influential players may hinge on how well he adapts to the challenges of age and recovery.

Source: HockeyFeed
Brad Marchand looks less than 100% in return to the ice.}»