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

Marchand met with general manager Don Sweeney before the trade deadline, offering to compromise, but the Bruins did not adjust their offer, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, ultimately making a "really, really difficult" decision, per Sweeney.

While the former Bruins captain is still weeks away from returning to game action following an upper-body injury, Marchand is starting to ingratiate himself to his new teammates days after Boston dealt him to one of their most-loathed rivals.

Marchand, speaking at the Panthers’ practice facility on Monday, said, "It was very disappointing" not to get an extension done with Boston.

Are #Bruins actually a better team since dealing Brad Marchand? Bruins legend Mike Milbury joins! How much $ was Marchand looking for?