from Joe McDonald of ESPN,

In Marchand, the Bruins acquired a player with skill, skating ability, hockey IQ, character and competitiveness. Now in his eighth NHL season, the 28-year-old forward has reached new levels in all of those categories, especially in terms of his compete level.

"It's pretty impressive the way he's improved," said Bruins alternate captain and longtime linemate Patrice Bergeron. "I've always thought he was an amazing player to play with. The way he's handled himself on the ice night in and night out -- he's always been first on pucks, working hard, competing and all that -- I just think he's improved his game from one year to another. He got 37 goals last year and it wasn't a fluke. Obviously, we're seeing that right now. It's great to see."

So far this season, Marchand has three goals and seven assists for 10 points in eight games. He has carried over the success he had at the World Cup of Hockey, where he helped lead Team Canada to a championship with five goals and three assists for eight points in six games. The decision by Team Canada and coach Mike Babcock to give Marchand a roster spot and put him on the top line, along with Sidney Crosby and Bergeron, was based on that compete level.

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