Sam Bennett Reveals What Brad Marchand Said in His First Message in the Florida Panthers’ Group Chat—And It Says Everything About Him

Brad Marchand has never been one to shy away from controversy, and his first message in the Florida Panthers’ team group chat was no exception. After years of being one of the NHL’s most notorious agitators, Marchand’s sudden arrival in Florida was already a talking point, but what he said to his new teammates instantly set the tone for his tenure with the Panthers.

Sam Bennett, known for his hard-nosed play and intensity on the ice, didn’t hold back when asked about Marchand’s first words in the chat. “It was classic Marchy,” Bennett said with a grin. “No ‘Hey guys, happy to be here’ or anything like that. He just dropped something that let us know exactly what kind of presence he was bringing to this team.”

The Message That Had the Team Buzzing

According to Bennett, Marchand’s first message in the Panthers’ group chat wasn’t a simple introduction—it was a direct shot at his new rivals and a fiery declaration of intent.

“He literally just said, ‘Hope you boys are ready, ‘cause we’re about to make life hell for the rest of the league,’” Bennett recalled. “That’s it. No pleasantries, no easing into it. Just straight to business.”

For a team that prides itself on being tough, relentless, and hard to play against, Marchand’s arrival was already seen as a major shake-up. But his first words instantly proved that he wasn’t coming in to simply blend in—he was bringing his signature edge to the locker room.

Setting the Tone for a New Era

Marchand, long viewed as the ultimate agitator, has made a career out of getting under opponents’ skin while also being one of the most productive players in the league. His ability to toe the line between pest and elite playmaker has made him one of the NHL’s most polarizing figures.

Bennett and his Panthers teammates took Marchand’s message as a clear sign of what was coming. “That’s why we wanted him,” Bennett said. “Some guys take time to settle into a new team, but with Marchy, you know what you’re getting from day one. He’s bringing that fire, that energy, that ‘us against the world’ mentality.”

Fans and Rivals React

Marchand’s bold introduction in the Panthers’ chat immediately sent ripples through the league. Fans of the Panthers, who have long admired their team’s gritty, no-nonsense style, were thrilled to see their newest addition embracing the culture so quickly.

However, not everyone was excited. The thought of Marchand joining an already tough Florida squad had some rivals bracing for impact. “As if the Panthers weren’t annoying enough to play against,” one Eastern Conference player reportedly quipped. “Now they’ve got Marchand? Great.”

A Perfect Fit for the Panthers?

If there were any doubts about how Marchand would fit in with the Panthers, his first message made it clear—he’s not here to play nice. He’s here to help Florida dominate, get under opponents’ skin, and push the team to the next level.

As Bennett summed it up: “That’s just who he is. And honestly? We love it.”