Around the NHL: Marchand issued ‘1-year suspension’ from TNT and some 4 Nations Face-Off takes

Welcome to a special mid-week edition of Around the NHL! It’s been an eventful week across the league, with the 4 Nations Face-Off roster announcements coming down on Wednesday, as Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner was named to Team Canada, while Jani Hakanpaa was named to Team Finland.

There have been some lighter, fun items across the league, and we’ll get right into it!

Brad Marchand issued ‘1-year suspension’ from TNT

Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand often alternates from intense to alarmingly hilarious and he switched between both modes during a recent TNT broadcast, during a Nov. 29 game between the Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins. Marchand and TNT analyst Paul Bissonnette have struck a healthy, comedic rapport over the years and it made for one of the more entertaining interviews of the season.

Bissonnette was allegedly attacked by several assailants on November 26 in Arizona, where video footage showed that he fended off six men trying to fight him. He hasn’t shied away from the incident, either and has been vigilant on social media in trying to bring his alleged attackers to justice.

Marchand had some fun with Bissonnette, when the TNT host tried to make fun of his haircut.

Mr. TNT himself Brad Marchand joins the boys to talk about the Bruins’ season so far and how they’re trying to get back to their game with a new head coach pic.twitter.com/vj5fLR2r9I

— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) November 29, 2024

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Here’s the exchange:

Bissonnette: I know my first (question) was a little boring. Did one of those offseason surgeries include a Turkish hair transplant? You’re looking a little less thin up-top; it looks great!

Marchand: Is it? You know, I was just trying to look like those guys that beat the wheels off you the other night.

Marchand brought the house down with his clap-back, but Bissonnette and his crew responded in kind, issuing the Bruins’ captain a tongue-in-cheek one-year suspension from the broadcast on Wednesday.

I’m Peorge Garros, Vice President of NHL broadcast safety. Last Friday, an incident took place ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins game during an interview with Bruins captain, Brad-the-rat-Marchand and superstar hockey analyst Paul Bissonnette.

“Prior to puck drop, towards the end of what should have been a light-hearted exchange, Bissonnette took a moment to compliment Marchand’s horrendous salad. After a seemingly harmless question, Marchand responded with a completely gutless and illegal headshot. Not only did Marchand make direct contact – despite being vertically challenged – but it’s also been determined that the act was pre-meditated.

On this exchange, Marchand takes a bad angle, unnecessarily driving his comments into Bissonnette’s already bruised and battered brain. Furthermore, we have determined Marchand had the time to avoid this action, but instead, choice verbal violence on a defenceless commentator. After a thorough investigation, it was determined this was not the first time Marchand was quick and distasteful with his wit and tongue. It was also determined Marchand antagonized Bissonnette earlier in the interview, calling his first questions ‘a boring one.’

It was all fun and games between friends and it was a great night for Marchand, who was already named to Team Canada as one of the original selections. Marchand netted two goals in Boston’s 4-2 victory over Chicago and is looking to steer his team back into top form, after the club fired Jim Montgomery in November.

Who was the biggest 4 Nations Face-Off snub?

We have some ideas about who the biggest 4 Nations Face-Off snubs were, especially when it’s a competitive group. The Leafs Nation’s Michael Mazzei made a strong argument as to why Maple Leafs defenceman Chris Tanev should’ve been selected over Travis Sanheim and Colton Parayko, I reasoned why Seth Jarvis is the Selke Trophy favourite at this juncture, and it’s why he was selected over John Tavares and several others, and we’ll have plenty of 4 Nations content in the coming weeks and months.

Hey #Leafs fans! Who do you think was the biggest Leafs snub from the 4 Nations Face-Off?

— TheLeafsNation (@TLNdc) December 5, 2024

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Daily Faceoff’s Scott Maxwell provided an analytical look at each roster, and we highly encourage you to check out our friends at Daily Faceoff throughout the tournament for stellar coverage from a national lens. Let the games begin — OK, so we’re two months early, but we can now forecast, analyze and predict what’s next as The Nation Network will leave no angle uncovered!