The Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens dislike each other greatly, we all know that. So it isn’t really surprising to hear a player from an opposing team talk trash about a rival. However, when one of hockey’s primary agitators and arguably the most annoying player in the NHL speaks out about hatred of another player, people listen.
One of sports biggest rivalries took another twist this week. Bruins winger Brad Marchand casually let us know that he doesn’t really like Tomas Plekanec of the Montreal Canadiens.
During a charity dinner in Halifax, Marchand was asked by AHL President Dave Andrews which player irritates him the most. He replied by singling out the Habs centre: “‘Tomas Plekanec from Montreal… I hate him. I can’t stand him.” He continued in a laughing, playful manner, before trying to cover his back by saying, “no, I probably shouldn’t say that. I dislike him very much.”
Whether it’s the irony that Plekanec probably hates you too, Brad, along with the majority of the league – or the crappy, out of fashion turtleneck that Plekanec seems to love – it’s a funny old situation.
Personally, I don’t see too much wrong with the whole thing. It isn’t quite as vicious as Milan Lucic saying he’s going to “f***ing kill” Dale Weise next year. No doubt Marchand meant what he said, but he was asked a question and he gave an answer.
You all probably remember the #Plekanecing Twitter phase, right? When Plekanec took a stick to the chest in the Eastern Conference Finals and flopped in an expert fashion to an extent that would make P.K. Subban proud? Yeah, I’d hate him too. Marchand has had his fair share of “flops” as well. But I’m sure Marchy found great joy in that Twitter trend and probably gave him another reason to dislike the turtlenecked Czech.
On the flip side, what hasn’t Marchand done? It’s pretty rich for him to say he dislikes people when he creates enemies everyday on the ice. Even as a Bruins fan, he’s damn annoying. But it’s hockey. It’s a storied rivalry. It’s Brad Marchand. What do you expect?
What’s an offseason without a little fuel to get you ready for hockey again, eh? Unfortunately, the Bruins and the Habs won’t reunite until November 13th, in Montreal. But be ready for that one, ladies and gentlemen… it’ll be worth the wait.
