The upcoming Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers features many storylines, but one particularly intense subplot is the renewed rivalry between Brad Marchand and Corey Perry. Both veteran players, known for their relentless pest-like playing styles, are once again clashing on hockey’s biggest stage. Their Brad Marchand Stanley Cup Final performance has garnered attention because these two have seemingly found the fountain of youth, continuing to fuel their teams’ playoff success through sheer annoyance and gritty play.

Marchand and Perry have built lengthy NHL careers on their ability to get under opponents’ skin at any cost, becoming infamous for being players that fans love to have on their side but hate facing on the ice. Their shared reputation as agitators has made their head-to-head battles a highlight of the postseason.

Corey Perry: “The Worm” and His Long NHL Journey

Corey Perry, nicknamed “The Worm” for his sneaky presence on the ice, entered the NHL after being selected 28th overall by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in 2003. Coming off an outstanding Ontario Hockey League (OHL) career with the London Knights, where he posted impressive numbers of 140 goals and 380 points in 253 games plus solid playoff statistics, Perry was immediately recognized for scoring ability combined with relentless agitation.

Brian Burke, the former Ducks general manager, recalled Perry’s unique blend of skill and pestilence:

He was a mean son of a b—. He put up massive numbers in London, started all kinds of stuff. He looked like a choir boy but played like he was on ‘Team Devil.’ In warmups, he was chirping guys, trying to start a fight. He was a throwback.

—Brian Burke, former Ducks GM

Throughout his career, Perry consistently troubled goaltenders by staying close to the crease, maneuvering through defenders, and taking sharp shots from tight spots, embodying his “worming” nickname. Adam Henrique, a former Duck and Perry’s teammate, emphasized Perry’s pestering style in a 2022 interview:

That’s his game. He’s in there. He finds ways to be that pest in the side of whoever he’s playing against. He’s not afraid to get in there. And that’s why he’s had the success that he’s had.

—Adam Henrique, NHL player

Perry’s NHL start came in the 2005-06 season, after a decorated period with the London Knights that culminated in a Memorial Cup. He split time between the Portland Pirates (AHL) and the Mighty Ducks, scoring prolifically in Portland with 16 goals in just 19 games, suggesting he was beyond minor league competition. However, the NHL lockout shortened the season to 56 games, limiting his full exposure that year.

After that season, Perry never returned to the AHL and went on to play 988 regular-season games and 118 playoff games with the Ducks franchise. His crowning achievement there was the 2007 Stanley Cup victory, where he was a critical member of the “Kid Line” alongside Ryan Getzlaf and Dustin Penner. During that playoff run, the trio combined for 16 goals and 40 points, playing a key role in clinching the championship for Anaheim.

Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf became iconic players for the Ducks, with Perry finishing second in franchise goals (372) and third in points (776) and games played (988). Perry’s individual accomplishments include winning the Hart Trophy and Rocket Richard Trophy in 2010-11 after tallying a career-high 50 goals in a season.

When Perry moved to the Dallas Stars in 2019, his production dipped, but he remained a pivotal playoff player, reaching the Stanley Cup Final for a second time. Following that, he experienced a string of heartbreaks in the Finals, losing four more times with different teams: Montreal Canadiens (2021), Tampa Bay Lightning, Colorado Avalanche, and most recently with the Edmonton Oilers in 2024 against the Panthers.

This year, Perry returns to the Stanley Cup Final for the fourth time in five years, aiming to break his Final losing streak. So far, he has co-led the playoffs with seven goals alongside Leon Draisaitl, making him a key offensive force for Edmonton and a major factor in the rivalry with Marchand and the Panthers.

Brad Marchand: The Persistent “Rat” Leading the Panthers

Brad Marchand’s path to NHL prominence contrasts with Perry’s; he was not a first-round pick nor an immediate star but evolved into a vital player through grit and skill. Drafted in the third round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins, Marchand emerged from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with solid junior numbers, including 102 goals and 248 points over 245 games, and a strong playoff record that highlighted his clutch capability.

Early on, many saw Marchand as a bottom-six grinder due to his modest 5-foot-9 stature, but he defied expectations by combining quickness, skill, and an irritating style of play that earned him the nickname “The Rat.” His early NHL seasons found him on an energy line alongside Gregory Campbell and Shawn Thornton, but Marchand’s relentless work ethic and impact impressed Bruins coach Claude Julien enough to promote him to the top-six, playing alongside stars Patrice Bergeron and Mark Recchi.

Marchand’s breakthrough came in the 2011 playoffs when he helped Boston secure the Stanley Cup by contributing 11 goals and 19 points, bringing a disruptive, physical, and clutch edge to the ice. His persistent pestering often crossed the line, becoming a defining feature of his career.

Despite Boston’s efforts, Marchand has not returned to the Stanley Cup Final as often as Perry, with his only subsequent appearance coming in 2019. Nonetheless, his playoff totals — 60 goals and 152 points in 174 games — demonstrate his consistent postseason value.

Marchand’s tenure with Boston ended unexpectedly at the 2025 trade deadline when he was moved to the Florida Panthers. He finished his Bruins career with remarkable franchise rankings, including fourth in goals (422), fourth in penalty minutes (1,113), fifth in points (1,113), and fourth in games played (1,090).

Now playing for the Panthers, Marchand fits seamlessly into the team’s culture in South Florida, where a unique tradition involves throwing plastic rats onto the ice after victories. This tradition traces back to a famous incident when Scott Mellanby killed a rat in the dressing room, sparking a scoring surge that goalie John Vanbiesbrouck dubbed a “rat trick.” Marchand, the team’s new “rat,” has already been replicating his signature pestering style for the Panthers.

In the current playoffs, Marchand has scored four goals and accumulated 14 points, ranking fourth on the team behind Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, and Aleksander Barkov. His chemistry on the third line with Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen has been a key factor in the Panthers’ bid for a second consecutive Stanley Cup.

Matthew Tkachuk offered high praise for Marchand’s impact this postseason:

Him and their whole line has been incredible. … It’s crazy. He’s the oldest guy [on the team]. He’s full of energy and you would not think that by the way he’s playing right now. Super impressed to see what he’s doing, super lucky to have him on our side.

—Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers forward

Who Will Dominate the Ice and Claim the Stanley Cup?

The stage is set for a compelling showdown between Edmonton and Florida, with Corey Perry and Brad Marchand bringing their ageless, aggressive games into the spotlight. At 40 and 37 years old, respectively, these two veteran agitators remain indispensable to their teams and playoff success, thriving on the challenge of provoking the opposition while contributing crucial offense.

The matchup between “The Worm” and “The Rat” embodies a clash of styles and legacies built on fierce competitiveness and mental warfare. As the Stanley Cup Final begins on June 4 in Edmonton, hockey fans will watch closely to see which of these seasoned pest masters will lead their team to hoisting the coveted trophy again.