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

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.

Brad Marchand, a longtime Boston Bruins player, has been traded to the Florida Panthers. The trade involves a conditional second-round draft pick that