Dear Marchy,
Let me first say that I love watching you play. The passion. The effort. The craftsmanship you've developed steadily over the years. The compete. I don't even mind the fact that you're considered a pest and are just relentless when it comes to certain opponents. And that you drive opposing fans nuts ... well, that's just an added bonus. You're the preeminent "I'm glad he's on my team — I'd hate him if he was my rival" player. Yes, I'm glad you're on the Bruins.
It has been a joy to watch you develop, from a scrappy fourth-liner no one knew about, to one of the best players in the NHL. Really, I have a hard time thinking of similar career arcs in other sports. You went from third-round pick of the Bruins, being on the bottom end of the roster to Stanley Cup hero in 2011 during your first full NHL season and now you're, at least, one of top 10 players in the game. It's downright, Tom Brady-esque.
You deserve all of the accolades you've received. You've gone to back-to-back All-Star games, you were named first-team NHL last year, and have garnered some Hart Trophy talk this season.
When the puck drops tonight, this should be your time. This the prime of your career at just shy of 30-years old. You've put together back-to-back 85-point seasons (this year happened in only 68 games). You were the best player on Team Canada in the last World Cup of Hockey.
Forget what everyone's saying about how you have one goal in 18 playoff games dating back to 2013. A lot of those teams weren't all that good, and the coach you played for during most of those games was not exactly a great match for your style.
Now, not only do you enter the playoffs with a wagon of a line alongside Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak, but Bruce Cassidy seems to be the real deal coach and he's not afraid to push the issue when it comes to pace and attack.
In short, this is all set up for you — with the national American and Canadian audiences glued to their televisions — to take your rightful place among the elite household names in hockey houses everywhere.
Just don't screw it up by doing something stupid: this team can't afford to lose you to a suspension in this series.
As great a player as you are, you're obviously Public Enemy No. 1 at league headquarters (which just so happen to be located in Toronto). The NHL is just looking for a reason to give you the gate: don't give it to them.
Look, I get it. You've always been an undersized, blue-collar runt in a land dominated by genetically blessed, uber-talented players who have seemingly always had the easy path to spots on club teams, the best coaches, ice time, etc., growing up. You had to earn everything you have received, and sometimes that has meant pushing the envelope. A slash or a slewfoot there, a love tap to the mug here.
That stuff's got to stop now. If you thought you received a lot of attention before with your little antics, wait until this playoff series where the number of cameras are doubled and everyone's watching your every move.
Make no mistake, the Leafs are going to bait you, and they hope you take it. They would love nothing more than for you to get suspended for the balance of the series.
Montreal's Tomas Plekanec (left) and Bruins' Brad Marchand in Game 5 of 2011 playoffs (Boston Globe/John Tlumacki)