As the battle between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins rages on, the underlying storyline centers around forward Brad Marchand. The forward has had a peculiar playoffs thus far as he continues to stir up trouble with anyone and everyone. His latest move is licking people. He has done it before but it seems like the powers that be aren’t putting up with his antics any longer.
Brad Marchand gives Ryan Callahan a lick pic.twitter.com/b2th9vdOwO
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) May 5, 2018
The debates that have raged on and have been interesting considering they have ranged from “this is gross” and “this is harassment.” It is without a doubt gross and is borderline harassment. There is no way to say that it isn’t the case. Looking into who he is as a player, you begin to understand exactly why he keeps doing it over and over again.
Marchand is a pest of the highest order. He will do anything to get under other players’ skin. The psychology of it isn’t the strongest but if he knows that he can get away with it without punishment, he is going to keep doing it. That is just how he is as a player. He has all of the skill in the world and can score goals with the best of them. His impact as a pest is where he seems to enjoy living in the most.
Given where hockey and other sports are going, there is no way that Marchand should be able to continue licking people. He has found a gray area and with it, he has exploited it. No one should care. Given the 24/7 nature of spots, people will care. It is just how we are constructed. The league will take action and he will stop licking. It doesn’t need to be more than a blip on a compelling postseason for the NHL.
