Bruins HC Joe Sacco breaks his silence on captain Brad Marchand's dismissal of rumored rift with David Pastrnak

Boston Bruins head coach Joe Sacco addressed rumors about a conflict between Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. He dismissed the report saying he had never seen such an issue during his ten years with the team.

During the pregame media session, Sacco said:

"I think it's perfect. I didn't hear what he said, but obviously nipped out in the Bud, that's the first thing I've heard of that. I've never been here for 10 years, plus never seen any like thing like that. So glad that it's over and done with, because he took care of it the way he did.

You feel he didn't need to address it. Yeah, I don't need to address that. I mean, like I said, I've been here 10 years. I've never once seen one of the players and all the different coaches that we've had, and myself included, has any player come to included, has any player come to us and said, I need to play with this guy or I can't play with this player? That's never happens."

The rumors came from radio host Rich Keefe, who claimed Marchand and Pastrnak were at odds.

"The locker room is a disaster, and David Pastrnak is at the center of that," Keefe said Friday on "Jones & Keefe" podcast "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."

Pastrnak is leading the Bruins with 42 points consisting of 17 goals and 25 assists.

Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak reacted to the rumors

Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak have denied the story and criticized Keefe for spreading false information. Marchand said the report was "completely made up" and accused Keefe of lying.

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

"The fact that he's going to have a job after this is insane, because Pasta and I are best friends. We've had an incredibly close relationship for a long time. The only reason we don't play together is so we can spread the depth through the lineup.

Pastrnak was surprised when Marchand told him about the rumor. At first, he thought it was a joke.

"I have never said in my hockey career that I don't want to play with this guy to the coaching staff or management," Pastrnak said per CBS. "I love playing with Marchand."

The players said they laughed about the rumor during practice and joked with each other on the ice. The Bruins are trying to recover from a tough NHL season, including a six-game losing streak.