Brad Marchand provides an update on his recovery.

The Boston Bruins have been without one of their top forwards to start the 2022-23 National Hockey League regular season with Brad Marchand out after undergoing major surgery this summer, but on Sunday the notorious Bruins agitator showed perhaps his best sign of progress yet.

Marchand hopped onto the ice with his teammates on Sunday and participated in a limited number of drills, and even engaged in some limited contact on the ice. That being said, Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery made it clear that contact was not supposed to be a part of the drill.

"He's going hunting pucks, he's hitting people," said Montgomery. "That first drill's not even supposed to be any contact, somehow he found [a way] to get contact in it."

I'm sure it comes as no surprise to anyone reading this that Marchand was up to his usual antics once reunited with his teammates.

Marchand also spoke to the media following his time on the ice and described what was for him a long 4 months of recovery following the procedure he had earlier this year. Marchand remained positive however, describing that his body felt much better after the surgery. Best of al though, Marchand said he was no longer in pain on a regular basis.

"I was kind of waiting to see how I felt just because guys who have done it have talked so highly about how great they felt afterwards," said Marchand. "And I dealt with a lot the last few years with my hips and groins and everything, so the change has been incredible. It's night and day how I feel out there and I'm really anxious to get back to where I normally am and feel the way I do now without having any pain. It's a great feeling."

Although Marchand is feeling much better, the veteran forward still won't be returning to regular practice in the short term. Marchand informed reporters that he would continue to skate on his own later this week, indicating that he still has a little ways to go before being back to 100%.