Florida Panthers in a crucial standings spot, and Brad Marchand still finds time to prank Sam Reinhart
|
Jonathan Ouimet
Jan 26, 2026 (3:02)
|
|
Photo credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Brad Marchand shows the Florida Panthers how to breathe, and Sam Reinhart learns it the hard way on the bench, right when every point feels like life or death.
In the clip, Marchand slides over just enough to block Reinhart's seat.
Reinhart goes to sit, and there's basically no space, unless he's ready to sit on Marchand.
It's childish, it's harmless, and it works because the room trusts him.
What I love is the timing, because this is not a sleepy October game where nobody cares.
The standings are tight, the vibe is already «playoff mode,» and Marchand still finds a way to loosen the grip on the stick.
He's talked before about how the chirping in the room can be louder than the chirping at opponents.
This is exactly what that looks like when it's real.
Brad Marchand brings calm to the Florida Panthers
Panthers fans are going to eat this up, because it's the kind of leadership that doesn't need a speech or a microphone.
A veteran knows when a bench needs edge, and when it needs oxygen.
Marchand picks his spots, and that's the sneaky genius part.
If the team is squeezing the game too hard, he breaks the tension in two seconds.
If the moment demands focus, he can flip right back into menace on the next shift.
Florida already has a ton of leaders, but Marchand feels like a different kind.
He leads with personality, and it keeps everybody human when the pressure gets weird.
That matters for a coach, too, especially in tight games where you're managing matchups, special teams, and emotions at the same time.
When your bench is relaxed, your decisions get cleaner, and the details show up on the ice.
Reinhart laughing it off is the point, because it tells you the room is together.
And if Marchand is already this comfortable with his teammates, the next close game is going to feel a little lighter for everyone wearing that jersey.
Also read on Sunrise Hockey Insider :
Florida Panthers: one very interesting stat that gives fans real hope
Florida Panthers: one very interesting stat that gives fans real hope
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 26|23 ANSWERS Florida Panthers in a crucial standings spot, and Brad Marchand still finds time to prank Sam Reinhart Does Brad Marchand's bench energy make the Florida Panthers sharper in tight games? | ||
| Yes | 23 | 100 % |
| No | 0 | 0 % |
| List of polls | ||