BUFFALOMuch like Tom Brady, Brad Marchand isnt a very big fan of the city of Buffalo.
Perhaps its got something to do with the proximity of the Boston teams to the upstate New York city, and the sheernumber of times the Bruins and the Patriots find themselves in a town most famously known for their style of fried wings.
Marchand was on with 850 WEEIs Mutt and Merloni for his weekly appearance Thursday afternoonand slapped Buffalo around when asked which spot wasthe worst NHL city in his colorful opinion. Marchand is known as the little guy with the big mouth on the ice, and he showed once again that he can live up to that reputation off the ice as well.
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Buffalo would be the worst place in the NHL. Im not really looking forward to going there, but Im looking forward to leaving, said Marchand onBoston sportsradio before signing off of the interview.
Of course that was the topic of discussion for the Bs agitator during an off-day practice at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo once the local media got a chance to question him about his dislike of their fair city.
While his Bs teammates watched with curiosity at the media group encircled aroundMarchand and good-naturedlychirped things like Put a muzzle on him! and Shut up, Marchand!, the Nose Face Killah faced the music.
How did the subject come up?
Its a little cold in Buffalo and Im allergic to the cold, so it just kinda came up, answered Marchand. I never meant to offend anybody. Its just kind of cold here at the arena when we come to Buffalo, so I was just playing around. Hopefully I didnt offend anybody.
Marchand was reminded that Jeremy Jacobs, the principal owner of the Bruins and the man behind hisgenerouspaychecks, was from Buffalo, but the Bs winger had an answer for that one, too.
Yeah, but hes got a house in every city in the United States. So hes doing okay, said Marchand.
Brady made his disparagingcomments about Buffaloduring Super Bowl week in light-hearted fashion and Marchand was hoping the people of Buffalo would feel the same wayabout him. Since Buffalo and Cleveland tend to be the butt of worst sports city destination in America jokes on a regular basis, he was hoping people could laugh at it.
Its a little cold here. Theres not a ton do here. Youve got to just kind of hang around at the hotel when youre here, said Marchand. "Daniel Paille, who played for the Sabres, has spoken very highly of it here . . . especially in the summertime. Im sure its great if you live here, but Im notfrom around here so I dont know much about the city.
The people here have been very friendly and very nice. By no means was it a shot at them. Im just joking around.
Marchand was reminded that people are probably very friendly in Buffalo because the bars and adult establishmentsare open until 4 a.m.
I wouldnt know because I dont drink, said a smirking Marchand, who officially lost all shreds of sincerity during the post-practice interview when he uttered that line.
It was all said with a wink and a smile on Marchands face and he didnt seem too worried that it would have any kind of carryover in Friday nights game against the Sabres.
But the crowd from the "NHLs worst city" will get a chance to voice their opinion when the puck is on No. 63s stick in Friday nights Northeast Division rivalry tilt.