Looking back at Brad Marchand’s most memorable chirps as NHL’s reigning best (and worst) trash talker

For the second straight season, Brad Marchand found himself in some rare company in the NHLPA’s anonymous players poll — joining Sidney Crosby as one of just two players to snag first place in multiple categories. 

Of course, Crosby’s on-ice accolades might be a bit more esteemed in the wide-ranging study — with the Pittsburgh pivot leading the pack in voting for most complete forward (45.56% of the vote) and player you’d want if you needed to win one game (44.03%).

Marchand’s honors might have been on the opposite end of the spectrum, but they were very much on-brand for a player that’s made a living off of being the fly in the ointment of the opposition.

After earning the title of the league’s best and worst trash talker during the 2018-19 season, Marchand repeated the feat in 2019-20 — winning 25.87% of the vote for the top chirper, to go along with 10.59% of the vote for the worst in the NHL. 

Last season, Marchand was happy to accept such a unique honor, although he did admit he needed to polish up on some of his chirps going forward.

“A little disappointed about the worst trash talker, but I mean, you can’t be on every time, right? You’re going to have a couple fails,” Marchand said  “But it’s an honor and a privilege. Just want to thank everyone around the league for dealing with me. It’s been fun.”

Marchand’s verbal barbs often pale in comparison to the damage the star winger regularly dishes out when decimating opposing defenses — but even in his 11th season with Boston, the “Little Ball of Hate” still has plenty of creative chirps ready to drop. 

Here's a look back at some of Marchand's most memorable insults, antics and troll jobs from the 2019-20 season, as well as from earlier in his career.

Giving the Toronto crowd some love — Nov. 15, 2019

Marchand and the Bruins have been the bane of many Maple Leafs fans' existence for the best decade now — and the 2019-20 campaign appeared to be more of the same old painful narrative for Toronto. After scoring two goals in Boston's 4-2 win over the Leafs up at Scotiabank Arena back November, Marchand was awarded a "Player of the Game" accolade from Hall of Famer Lanny McDonald — as the Original Six matchup featured a pregame ceremony with the latest Hockey Hall of Fame inductees.

Wanting to spread the love to a Toronto crowd that hasn't seen a trophy since 1967, Marchand took a victory lap around Scotiabank Arena with his new piece of hardware — raising it high for the unimpressed conglomeration of remaining Leafs fans.

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1195538138363572226

Just a masterful troll job.

Marchand makes Justin Williams lose it - May 12, 2019

The Bruins made quick work of the Carolina Hurricanes during the 2019 Eastern Conference Final — besting the “Bunch of Jerks” in a four-game sweep.

What could have been a pretty intriguing matchup between an established hockey power and an upstart, tremendously skilled ‘Canes team was snuffed out rather quickly — with Boston taking Games 1 & 2 at TD Garden by a combined score of 11-4.

In Game 2, with Boston already up 3-0 in the second period, Marchand helped provide the nail in the coffin by bugging the crap out of Carolina captain Justin Williams. 

After getting knocked down by Marchand’s stick after releasing the puck, Williams — predictably irate about the lack of a call — grabbed the strap on Marchand’s helmet and ripped it open.

Ultimately, only Williams was whistled for the infraction, with Marchand slyly pointing Williams over the penalty box — taunting the captain with a “C” on the front of his jersey for getting caught taking a retaliatory penalty in a playoff game.

https://twitter.com/PeteBlackburn/status/1127677600699232258

Matt Grzelcyk ultimately scored on the following power-play sequence to put Boston on a clear path toward an eventual 6-2 victory.

Marchand attempts to steal Robby Fabbri - Feb. 15, 2020

Just ahead of the 2020 NHL trade deadline, Marchand attempt to pull off a mid-game deal of his own —nearly pushing Red Wings forward Robby Fabbri into the Bruins bench before the on-ice officials intervened.

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1228780872918278144

Marchand steps on Cam Atkinson's stick —April 25, 2019

During overtime of Boston's Game 1 matchup against the Blue Jackets in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Marchand looked to get under Columbus forward Cam Atkinson's skin by, well, breaking his equipment.

https://twitter.com/BarSouthNCelly/status/1121892285031968768

While tangled up ahead of a faceoff, Marchand stepped on the blade of Atkinson's stick, forcing the forward to grab another twig from the bench. No penalty was whistled for the infraction.

Speaking to reporters the following day, Marchand gave his take on the entire brouhaha.

"I think he was trying to dull my blade there," he said. "Send me to the room, get it sharpened. It's kind of rude of him to do."

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1121831961964761088

Marchand steals Mikko Koivu's stick - Feb. 1, 2020

Marchand was ultimately whistled for interference on this play — but the sight of the Bruins winger stealing Mikko Koivu's stuck before casually tossing it away after making it back to Boston's bench — almost makes the two minutes worth it.

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1223796287012843520

Marchand flexes on Nikolaj Ehlers - Jan. 31, 2020

Just a day before snagging Koivu's stick, Marchand found himself tangled up with another skater in Winnipeg's Nikolaj Ehlers. 

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1223430609944616960

Marchand, who was clearly displeased about Ehler's hit on him at center ice, dropped the gloves on the winger and eventually dropped him. The chirping started immediately after both were separated — with Marchand flexing his muscles at Ehlers while heading to the sin bin.

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1223431489901223943

Marchand isn't a fan of Ryan Lindgren - Feb. 16, 2020

After exchanging plenty of pleasantries with Rangers defenseman (and former Bruins prospect) Ryan Lindgren during an eventual 3-1 win at Madison Square Garden, Marchand had some less-than-complimentary remarks for the young blueliner afterward.

"He's not going to be a player that's going to have a very long career," Marchand said. "I'm not overly concerned about him. ... He's a good, steady defenseman ... All the best to him, hope he does a great job. But I can't see it."

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1229195001944530944

Marchand doesn't want to hear it from the 'peasants' - Jan. 14, 2020

When you're a player with a reputation like Marchand — just about any on-ice misfortune is going to be gobbled up by every hockey fan that doesn't don a spoked "B" on their sweater. As such, Marchand took a beating for this embarrassing gaffe in Boston's brutal shootout loss to the Flyers on Jan. 13 — capping off a shootout loss by whiffing on the B's final chance of the evening.

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1216918469205200896

Of course, just a day later, Marchand took to Twitter to remind everyone of a certain accolade that trumps just about every embarrassing highlight:

https://twitter.com/Bmarch63/status/1217142971126206464

Still, even after flexing his championship resume, Marchand still had time to address one — err, "fan" — that wanted to remind him of last night's screw-up.

https://twitter.com/Bmarch63/status/1217154461291905027

A rare self-chirp — Jan. 17, 2020

Just days after his shootout gaffe in Philly, Marchand's scoring woes continued in what was ultimately a 4-1 win for Boston over the Penguins. Yes, the winger eventually buried an empty-netter late in the win, but he missed another breakaway chance earlier in the contest — losing the puck before he was able to get a shot off.

Thankfully, Marchand was able to poke fun at himself the following day online.

https://twitter.com/Bmarch63/status/1218180841655996416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1218180841655996416&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fbrobible.com%2Fsports%2Farticle%2Fbrad-marchand-chirps-himself-twitter%2F

Marchand puts concussion spotter on blast - November 29, 2019

Marchand was not too thrilled earlier this season when he was pulled off the ice by a concussion spotter at the start of the third period of a matinee game against the Rangers. Marchand was originally dazed off a hit from Jacob Trouba in the closing minutes of the second period, but was not assessed until play resumed in the following frame.

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1200527657114492928

"That's embarrassing," Marchand said. "They had 20 minutes to sit there and view the tape and call that in ... Guy up there is busy eating pizza and cheeseburgers and can't watch the game. Maybe next time he'll pull his head out of his butt and watch the game.

Marchand ultimately apologized on Twitter shortly thereafter. 

Marchand hoists Cup against Vancouver - December 15, 2013

After scoring a team-high five goals and seven total points in Boston's seven-game triumph over the Canucks in the 2011 Stanley Cup Final, Marchand relishes just about every chance he can get to stick it to Vancouver. This might have been the most effective gesture — raising an invisible Stanley Cup over his head while skating past the Canucks' bench.



Marchand was in rare form throughout this game, as detailed in an old "Behind The B" episode:


"How much did you pay to watch me?”- November 16, 2018

Marchand spent most of this matchup — a 1-0 OT loss to Dallas — in the sin bin, finishing the game with 18 total penalty minutes. Still, he made sure at least one fan in the crowd got their money's worth with this fantastic chirp.

https://twitter.com/_adamlondon/status/1063618407260659712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1063618407260659712&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportingnews.com%2Fus%2Fnhl%2Fnews%2Fboston-bruins-brad-marchand-nhlpa-trash-talk-recent-chirps%2F1cyzm6313s5xx13hnnoh6ajo28

Marchand embraces villain role at 2018 NHL All-Star Game - Jan. 28, 2018

Marchand wasn't exactly a popular fellow during the 2018 NHL All-Star Weekend — held down in Tampa Bay. Already suspended for five games for elbowing (eventual teammate) Marcus Johansson, Marchand also found himself in the crosshairs of Tampa Bay fans after spearing Jake Dotchin the previous year.

As such, Marchand heard it whenever he was on the ice at Amalie Arena during the All-Star festivities. But the winger gleefully embraced the "villain" moniker — whether it be blowing kisses to the hostile crowd, taking photos with anti-Marchand posters or faking an injury during the 3v3 tournament. 

https://twitter.com/NHLGIFs/status/957746285079154689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E957746285079154689&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bardown.com%2Fbrad-marchand-fully-embraced-his-role-as-a-villian-during-all-star-weekend-1.981113

Marchand licks Leo Komarov  - April 12, 2018

Marchand has apparently had a deep connection with former Maple Leafs (now Islanders forward) Leo Komarov for a while now, given that he planted a kiss on him during a regular-season game in 2017. Later that season, Marchand, uh, upped the ante by appearing to lick Komarov on the neck during the Stanley Cup Playoffs

https://twitter.com/hockeynight/status/984587020096897025

"I thought he wanted to cuddle. I just wanted to get close to him," Marchand said postgame.

Even in 2020, there doesn't appear to be much love lost between Marchand and Komarov.

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1233851598536925195

Marchand's antics continued later that same postseason, as he licked Lightning forward Ryan Callahan during the following round against Tampa Bay.

Marchand praises Mitch Marner — and takes a dig at cap-crunched Leafs - March 5, 2019

Aside from tormenting Toronto on the ice, Marchand has also managed to land quite a few jabs off the sheet when it comes to poking fun at Boston’s Original Six foe. 

Last season, the Maple Leafs were bracing themselves for an offseason headache of massive proportions, with 21-year-old Mitch Marner set for a massive pay raises after putting himself on the course for a 100-point campaign (he finished with 94 points). 

But with Toronto already facing a major cap crunch and both Auston Matthews and John Tavares making $11.6 and $11.0 million, respectively, on an annual basis — many feared that Toronto would have to make shed some major contracts to accommodate Marner. 

Or, in a best-case scenario, Marner would sign for way below his market value on a new extension.

Marchand, fair to say, didn't think Marner was going to be low-balled by an offer:

https://twitter.com/Bmarch63/status/1102942972243570690

Marner ultimately signed a six-year, $65-million contract ($10.8 million annually) with the Leafs back in September.

Marchand hits Columbus with the McGregor celly — March 16, 2019:

I mean, when Conor McGregor shows up to give your team a pregame speech, you're pretty much obligated to do a celly like this when you score an OT winner, right?

https://twitter.com/Mike_Cratty/status/1239572980742729728

Marchand vs. Patrick Sharp — 2013 Stanley Cup Final 

During the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs, former Blackhawks forward and current NBCSN analyst Patrick Sharp gave his own anecdotes about going up against No. 63 during the 2013 Stanley Cup Final. Fair to say, it doesn't seem like Marchand necessarily has a scouting report on every player he chirps out there on the ice.

https://twitter.com/alex_prewitt/status/1129175557055438848

Chatting it up with Gaudreau - December 4, 2015

Much like Marchand, Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau may not be the most physically imposing figure out there on the ice. But a trash talker — he is not. After all, the former BC star won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy as the NHL's most gentlemanly player for the 2016–17 season.

As such, Gaudreau just sat back and smiled after Marchand had a few words for him in the penalty box. Gaudreau ultimately had the last laugh — scoring a hat trick in Calgary's 5-4 OT win over the Bruins.



Marchand taunts Matt Cooke — June 3, 2013

Already one of the most reviled athletes among Boston sports fandom, Matt Cooke managed to get an earful from Marchand during Game 2 of the 2013 Eastern Conference Final. Shortly after exchanging some words on the ice, Marchand promptly beat Cooke on a rush down the ice and sniped one home — immediately calling out the Penguins goon after lighting the lamp.



Marchand punches Daniel Sedin - June 13, 2011

Not really sure if this one belongs on a list of "chirps" and "troll jobs", but years from now, this clip might be the best way to sum up Marchand's reputation — a hard-nosed agitator that was often at his best when he was driving the opposition crazy.



It also led to this response from Marchand when asked why exactly he decided to use Daniel Sedin's face as a speed bag.

Marchand: "I felt like it."

Marchand roasts just about everyone on Twitter - January 2013 - present

A few words of advice — don't try to chirp the best trash talker in the NHL on Twitter. It can get ugly.

https://twitter.com/Bmarch63/status/1229193134090878976

https://twitter.com/Bmarch63/status/993518846031073286

https://twitter.com/Bmarch63/status/975196118651981824

https://twitter.com/Bmarch63/status/963517115650031617

https://twitter.com/Bmarch63/status/958107111849852928

https://twitter.com/Bmarch63/status/929196464638742528

https://twitter.com/Bmarch63/status/911409019809656832

Marchand also doesn't just save his online barbs for trolls and fans, either:

https://twitter.com/Bmarch63/status/1108220258987458561

https://twitter.com/Bmarch63/status/1108200819466350592

https://twitter.com/Bmarch63/status/1107320289912852486

https://twitter.com/Bmarch63/status/1103885217251549184

https://twitter.com/Bmarch63/status/1097390808179781632

https://twitter.com/Bmarch63/status/1103403158351552513

Cold-blooded.