TAMPA, Fla. — Don Sweeney did what he had to do Friday, tearing the bandage off the festering 2024-25 season and bidding adieu to a collection of fan favorites, chief among them Bruins captain Brad Marchand.

But in his first presser as a Panther, he showed no bitterness to Sweeney or the Bruins. In fact, it was quite the opposite reaction in a moment that was equal parts emotion and pragmatism. He also lavished praise on Sweeney, who has been taking plenty of heat here for trading a player whose No. 63 will be raised to the Garden rafters some day.

Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney has broken his silence on the trade that sent longtime captain Brad Marchand to the Florida Panthers. Sweeney, speaking about the moves completed by the Bruins ahead of Friday's deadline,

The Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins combined for one of the biggest surprises of the trade deadline last Friday as the reigning Stanley Cup champions acquired the Bruins captain Brad Marchand.

Don Sweeney explained the decision that went into the team trading captain Brad Marchand to the Florida Panthers for a conditional pick.

The Florida Panthers completed the most shocking NHL deadline trade when they acquired former Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand in a last-minute, unexpected move. Marchand, in his return to Boston as the Panthers took on (and lost to) the Bruins on Tuesday,

The uncomfortable reality of Marchand and Boston being separate entities was inevitable after the team fell short a couple of years ago.

Brad Marchand opens up about his trade from the Bruins to the Panthers, reflecting on his history and embracing future uncertainties as he adjusts to Florida.