Torey Krug's breakup with the Bruins was always going to be a sad one for all involved.
Krug had been a fan favorite ever since he got called up during the 2013 postseason and scored four goals in his first five playoff games against the Rangers.
He continued to earn that love with his feisty play, offensive skill and genuine connection to the city and fans during his seven years in Boston.
Krug, who signed with Boston as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State in 2012, also developed into a team leader, serving as the key link between the team's veteran core and its younger players.
Krug fell in love with Boston as well, something he made clear many times over the years, including by naming his dog "Fenway."
But the relationship seemed bound to come to an end this offseason, as the Bruins and Krug had little dialogue about an extension during the season, and the Bruins never quite seemed willing to go all-in on locking up the 29-year-old, 5-foot-9 defenseman.
Krug, meanwhile, wasn't interested in a significant hometown discount or bridge deal. He had already been down that road and knew this was the one opportunity he was going to get to maximize his value.
And now he has done that, signing a seven-year, $45.5 million deal with the St. Louis Blues Friday night.
If there are any hard feelings privately, don't expect either side to show it publicly. Krug and the Bruins will both want to remember the good times, and that's exactly what the Bruins' team Twitter account did Friday night.
In a video tribute, the Bruins thanked Krug and relived some of his highlights, including his 2013 breakthrough, his community work, his famous Stanley Cup Final hit on St. Louis' Robert Thomas, and of course his pregame spins with David Pastrnak.
Watch it here: