Bruins' Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak Slam Rumors About Rift Between Themselves

The Bruins are slip-sliding away down the Atlantic Division standings with six straight losses and it's beginning to elicit narratives.

Speculation is swirling that there is tension in the Bruins' locker room between star forwards Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak.

"The locker room is a disaster, and David Pastrnak is at the center of that. David Pastrnak has told the team he doesn't want to be on a line with Brad Marchand, and it may stem from Brad Marchand calling out Pastrnak for some of his play," Rich Keefe said on "Jones & Keefe" Friday.

It's worth noting that "Scoops" Keefe has a strong track record of breaking significant Bruins news, such as Jim Montgomery's firing and updates on Hampus Lindholm's injury.

Keefe also provided early details on Jeremy Swayman's contract negotiations, which were later verified by national insiders.

Any tension between Pastrnak and Marchand would be catastrophic, and if anyone has learned anything from what is going on with the media attention to J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson in Vancouver, it is in the Bruins' best interest to get in front of the rumors, whether true or not.

"I've never in my life said I don't want to play with this guy to the coaching staff or management and I never would. I love playing with Marchy. I've been playing with him for so long," Pastrnak told Jim McBride of the Boston Globe on Friday.

Since Keefe reported this, Pastrnak said the two have shared a good laugh about its falsehood.

"I thought he was making fun of me ... We've been laughing about this all day," Pastrnak said.

Marchand took a more aggressive approach on the radio report, saying that Keefe should "pound sand and go back to the closet where no one knew he was before."

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 04: Brad Marchand #63 and David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins look on against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period at the United Center on December 04, 2024 in...

He added that Keefe has "zero credibility" moving forward.

"It's very frustrating because this is what happens — we have not pulled our weight this year," Marchand continued. "We have not had the season we want to have. But I'm not gonna let some random guy come in the media and spit absolute nonsense. From this point forward, this guy has zero credibility.

It's a moment for Marchand to exercise his newly minted status as captain of the Bruins and — in his patented way — he did show that leadership on Friday.

The fact he's coming out with this is ridiculous and embarrassing. Anything he puts forth in the future is not going to be deemed as truth because he's completely making all of this up.

"If he would have fact-checked, he would have found out it's all nonsense. There's zero truth to this. It's ridiculous. ... I'm not gonna let it become something it's not. This guy can go pound sand and go back to the closet where no one knew he was before and report on nothing because that's what he's going to be doing after this. This guy can go pound sand and go back to the closet where no one knew he was before and report on nothing because that's what he's going to be doing after this."

Pastrnak and Marchand lead the Bruins in points at the halfway mark of the season with 42 and 33, respectively.

More NHL: Kings' Anze Kopitar, Jim Hiller Speak on 'Tragic' Situation With LA Wildfires

For more on the NHL, head to Newsweek Sports.