Bruins' Marchand offers explanation for down year

Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand was one of many players on the team who did not have his best year in 2014-15. Marchand netted 42 points off 24 goals and 18 assists, a total that was not far off his 53-point season from 2013-14. But something was missing from Marchand's game last season, and the 27-year-old had an explanation for reporters Tuesday: he was suffering from torn tendons in his right elbow which required surgery in the offseason.

"There were days where I couldn't even hold my stick," Marchand said to NHL.com. "It was always tough to shoot. There'd be times throughout the year where it was good. But when it was bad it was tough to even … like I wasn't shooting in practice and stuff like that. It definitely affected my game a bit. So it was good to get [the surgery] done."

Marchand said he suffered from the injury shortly before the 2014 playoffs. He noted that it was definitely worse through those playoffs than it was last season, but considering the injury still affected his game through the season, it was best for Marchand to have surgery this summer. 

Marchand has been one of a handful of Bruins participating in informal skates in Boston ahead of training camp, which begins on Sept. 17. As one of just seven skaters left on the roster from the Bruins' 2011 Stanley Cup championship, Marchand will look to provide some leadership along with more consistent play in an attempt to help the Bruins return to the playoffs.

(h/t NHL)