Marchand is not expecting big things should the NHL return for the 2019-20 season

There are still many unanswered questions over the possible resumption of the 2019-20 season, but Brad Marchand of the Boston Bruins is sure of one thing: if the season does return, the first few games will be "really, really ugly."

“The toughest thing is, it doesn't matter what you do off the ice, you can run, you can bike, but nothing will really simulate the workout you get on the ice. You can't duplicate it, you can't replicate it,” Marchand told Sportsnet.

“It doesn't matter who does what in this break we're all going to feel awful coming back. We're all going to be bad. It's going to take a while to get it back. That's probably the biggest concern. If you take guys that have been off that have had limited opportunity to work out and haven't skated in months, you can't just throw them back into games.

“Everybody's going to get hurt. There's gotta be some kind of ramp up period. It's going to be really, really ugly for the first few games so it'd be nice to get a couple games before playoffs start, otherwise it's really a free for all.”

Marchand also believes that teams with younger players will have an advantage if the 2019-20 season resumes.

“I honestly think the teams that are gonna come back and look good are the really young teams teams like Toronto, Tampa, just really high-end skill teams. Because they're just going to have the legs. Older teams are really going to struggle.”

Marchand also told Sportsnet he's not a big fan of possibly playing games in empty arenas.

“It would be like a practice really. That's kinda the way it'd feel,” he said. “One of the most exciting things about the game is having the fans there for support and the energy and the momentum swings they can create.

“But if that's what it takes for us to get back on the ice and play, we just want to get on the ice and play. Hopefully they can find a way to make that happen. If it's without fans, it's without fans. We just want a shot to get that Cup.”

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