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.

Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs seemed to put aside any notion that president Cam Neely's and general manager Don Sweeney's jobs are in jeopardy.

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,