LOCKOUT: Day Thirty-Seven: Savard’s Status
January 3, 2011; Toronto, ON, CANADA; Boston Bruins center Marc Savard (91) during the warm up prior to a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-US PRESSWIRE
On January 22nd, 2011, Boston Bruins forward Marc Savard was shaken up on a check into the boards early in the second period and didn’t return. Savard was put into the boards by former teammate Matt Hunwick early in the second period. #91 was down on the ice for a few minutes before being helped to the dressing room. The Bruins went on to defeat the Colorado Avalanche 6-2. At the time, the home office was concerned but was hopeful that one of their lead centers would return to the ice shortly.
Bruins Nation has been hoping that their veteran center would be returning to the ice. Sadly, Savard had to sit out the remainder of the 2010-2011 season. It was a testament to his dedication and his commitment to the game and the team when the Bruins requested that Savard’s name was added to the Stanley Cup. When Nathan Horton went down in game three of the Stanley Cup finals, many in Bruins Nation were afraid of seeing the injury inflicted on Savard would have been repeated with Horton.
It’s bad enough that we aren’t getting to watch NHL hockey. It’s even worse when a dedicated player that helped build the Bruins team to a Stanley Cup Championship will very likely not play the game again. Today, Savard went on social media site Twitter to update the Nation on his status. He regretted to say that at this point there is “no chance” that he will be able to return to the NHL. He took the time to thank the fans for all the words of encouragement and hope for him, and he stated that he was still give back to the game.
Savard still has five years left on his seven-year, twenty-eight million dollar contract. . His four million dollar salary will not go against the Bruins’ salary cap. (As long as the Bruins’ home office put him on long-term injured reserve list.) Savard’s absence was keenly felt, and the Bruins shopped around to find someone that could fill that position. The Bruins began a shell game of trades in and out of the organization.
The Bruins picked up Tomas Kaberle from the Toronto Maple Leafs. To make room for Kaberle under the salary cap, Boston sent forward Blake Wheeler and defenseman Mark Stuart to the Atlanta Thrashers (now Winnipeg Jets)in exchange for Rich Peverley and Boris Valabik. The Bruins had also had been able to accquire Chris Kelly from the Ottawa Senators. With the shell game complete, the Bruins ended up with a solid group of players that took the team and the nation all the way to the Championships.
That season did start however with a sturdy forward that made the plays and worked for his team. Marc Savard was part of the foundation that brought that team to Vancouver on June 15th, 2011. #91 will always be regarded as a Bruin and will also be respected for his contribution to the organization. If you wish to send your own message of thanks and support to Marc Savard, he can be reached at @MSavvy91 on Twitter.