Brad Marchand shuts down rift rumors with bold IG post featuring David Pastrnak

In a bold move to shut down rumors of a rift between him and linemate David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins star Brad Marchand took to Instagram with a series of photos clearly showing the two players' close friendship.

Marchand's post featured several images, including the two players attending a party together, Marchand giving Pastrnak a playful piggyback ride, and the duo posing in baseball-themed costumes.

The post also included shots of the dynamic duo celebrating on the ice, further dispelling any notion of discord.

Accompanying the photos, Marchand added a caption:

"Wolves don't lose sleep over the opinions of sheep!"

The social media statement comes after reports surfaced on Friday from the "Jones & Keefe" podcast, where host Rich Keefe claimed that Pastrnak had told the coaching staff that he didn't want to play with Marchand on the same line.

Both players swiftly refuted the rumors, with Pastrnak saying emphatically:

"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."

Marchand was equally direct in his assessment, simply saying:

"We're best friends" and dismissing the rumors as "not based in fact."

The Bruins' social media team also posted photos of Marchand and Pastrnak smiling together at practice on Friday morning, showing the duo's strong relationship.

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Brad Marchand calls out Rich Keefe for spreading "blatant lies" about relationship with David Pastrnak

In a scathing rebuke, Boston Bruins star Brad Marchand took aim at "Jones & Keefe" podcast host Rich Keefe for spreading unfounded rumors about a rift between Marchand and linemate David Pastrnak.

Marchand didn't mince words, calling Keefe's claims "blatant lies" and questioning how the reporter could maintain his job after making such unfounded statements.

"The fact that this guy has a platform, and he's just making stuff up is embarrassing, and there's zero truth to anything that he said on the radio," Marchand said. "This is how you lose your job very quickly."

In a terse response on X, Keefe seemed to suggest Brad Marchand's strong reaction was an admission that the story had some truth to it:

"Now I got Marchand calling for my job? No one acts this way if the story is really false. Thanks for the confirmation."

The war of words highlights the contentious relationship between players and the media at times.