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Boston Bruins Blogger •
Don't you just love when you're 2/3 of the way through writing something, and, for some unknown reason, hitting backspace jumps you to the last page you were on, erasing everything you've written in the process? Jeeeeez!
Anywho, as this will be abbreviated while I try to cool my boiling blood, RDS reported earlier tonight that the Bruins and center Marc Savard were close to agreeing upon a 7-year, $39 million dollar deal. The stud center is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season's end, and rumors of a deal have been circulating for some time now.
However, Kevin Dupont of the Globe is reporting that the deal may still be a week or so away, but Savard's tenure in Boston may be extended at an even cheaper rate than RDS claims:
These were once in sentence form, but here are some fascinating factoids regarding #91:
* Broke into the NHL in 97-98 with the NY Rangers.
* Salvaged his once damaged reputation (as a selfish player) and his career by averaging over a point per game during three seasons in Atlanta. In his final season there in 2005-06, Savard had 97 points in 82 games.
* Inked a 4-yr, $20 mil deal in the summer of 2006 with Boston.
* Has racked up 262 points in 238 games in his first three full seasons with the Bruins.
* Has finished in the top ten twice in points during those three years.
* Has finished in the top 6 in assists during all three seasons, including 3rd in 2006-07 and 2008-09.
* Had 6-7-13 totals in 11 games during the 2009 playoffs. Now has 19 points in 18 playoff games with the B's.
* Averaged a point per game in seven contests in October, all while nursing a broken foot.
* Will take a, roughly, 6.5% pay cut if the cap hit is indeed $4.7 million.
So, my opinion of it all? It's welcoming to see Peter Chiarelli join the horde of other GMs that have been handing out long-term, cap circumventing deals by the bushel. Sorely missed doesn't even begin to truly describe how the Bruins have felt about Savard over the past month. Many a speculator has plotted out a survival plan for 2010-11 sans Savard. Undoubtedly, the results they've witnessed over the past month have them accepting this proposed deal with open arms.
As has oft been mentioned in past blogs, Savard is the straw that stirs the drink. His unrivaled vision and ability to thread the needle gives the Bruins offense a pulse. His absence on the PP has been crippling. His tape-to-tape passes most definitely would've been a big boost on a squad that has been held to a goal or less in five of the last eight games. They are utterly hopeless without him.
For Savard, it's still a huge cash-in, as this summer likely would have been his last chance to strike it rich. The 32-year-old will rake in most of the $30+ million within the first five years of the deal. Many will say that, by that time, the stud center won't be as skilled as he was at the onset of the extension, making a buyout or trade more likely. But the keys to Savard's success are typically things that don't diminish over time: vision and hockey IQ. His game is hardly dependent on speed or power, and no one would ever confuse the Ottawa native for a physical player.
For the Bruins, locking up one of the top three setup men in the league for a $4.7 million cap hit will be a monumental financial victory. Savard is still capable of posting 90+ point seasons. He has drastically improved his defensive skills, and has transformed from a former me-first attitude kind of guy, to one regarded as a reliable, veteran presence, eager to tutor younger players and always determined to put the team first.
All in favor, please say "aye"!
Well done, Mr. Chiarelli, should these numbers be generally accurate. The Hub of Hockey is in dire need of some good news these days.
JC
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Anywho, as this will be abbreviated while I try to cool my boiling blood, RDS reported earlier tonight that the Bruins and center Marc Savard were close to agreeing upon a 7-year, $39 million dollar deal. The stud center is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season's end, and rumors of a deal have been circulating for some time now.
However, Kevin Dupont of the Globe is reporting that the deal may still be a week or so away, but Savard's tenure in Boston may be extended at an even cheaper rate than RDS claims:
An Internet report this afternoon had No. 1 Bruins center Marc Savard poised to extend his deal for another seven seasons, beginning in 2010-'11, worth a total possibly as high as $39 million (about a $5.6 million cap hit).
According to a source familiar with the ongoing contract talks, the signing is not imminent and the total payout is not likely to be as high as reported today.
Savard, who will turn 33 years old next July, is closing in on a seven-year pact worth closer to $32 million (cap hit: approximately $4.7 million).
A typical payout for this kind of deal, made popular by the Red Wings and Flyers, would see Savard pull in, say, all but $3-4 million over the first five years.
Entering year No. 6 of the deal, Savard would be 38 years old. If his skills were diminished by then, the Bruins coud buy out the final two years of the deal at one-third discount, with the total amount due paid over four years.
The Globe reported on Sunday that Savard's new deal probably would be finalized in the days around Thanksgiving.
These were once in sentence form, but here are some fascinating factoids regarding #91:
* Broke into the NHL in 97-98 with the NY Rangers.
* Salvaged his once damaged reputation (as a selfish player) and his career by averaging over a point per game during three seasons in Atlanta. In his final season there in 2005-06, Savard had 97 points in 82 games.
* Inked a 4-yr, $20 mil deal in the summer of 2006 with Boston.
* Has racked up 262 points in 238 games in his first three full seasons with the Bruins.
* Has finished in the top ten twice in points during those three years.
* Has finished in the top 6 in assists during all three seasons, including 3rd in 2006-07 and 2008-09.
* Had 6-7-13 totals in 11 games during the 2009 playoffs. Now has 19 points in 18 playoff games with the B's.
* Averaged a point per game in seven contests in October, all while nursing a broken foot.
* Will take a, roughly, 6.5% pay cut if the cap hit is indeed $4.7 million.
So, my opinion of it all? It's welcoming to see Peter Chiarelli join the horde of other GMs that have been handing out long-term, cap circumventing deals by the bushel. Sorely missed doesn't even begin to truly describe how the Bruins have felt about Savard over the past month. Many a speculator has plotted out a survival plan for 2010-11 sans Savard. Undoubtedly, the results they've witnessed over the past month have them accepting this proposed deal with open arms.
As has oft been mentioned in past blogs, Savard is the straw that stirs the drink. His unrivaled vision and ability to thread the needle gives the Bruins offense a pulse. His absence on the PP has been crippling. His tape-to-tape passes most definitely would've been a big boost on a squad that has been held to a goal or less in five of the last eight games. They are utterly hopeless without him.
For Savard, it's still a huge cash-in, as this summer likely would have been his last chance to strike it rich. The 32-year-old will rake in most of the $30+ million within the first five years of the deal. Many will say that, by that time, the stud center won't be as skilled as he was at the onset of the extension, making a buyout or trade more likely. But the keys to Savard's success are typically things that don't diminish over time: vision and hockey IQ. His game is hardly dependent on speed or power, and no one would ever confuse the Ottawa native for a physical player.
For the Bruins, locking up one of the top three setup men in the league for a $4.7 million cap hit will be a monumental financial victory. Savard is still capable of posting 90+ point seasons. He has drastically improved his defensive skills, and has transformed from a former me-first attitude kind of guy, to one regarded as a reliable, veteran presence, eager to tutor younger players and always determined to put the team first.
All in favor, please say "aye"!
Well done, Mr. Chiarelli, should these numbers be generally accurate. The Hub of Hockey is in dire need of some good news these days.
JC
BE A FRIEND: JC's New Facebook Page
ROCK THE VOTE: Fan Poll Friday: The Best Hockey Gift You've Ever Received
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS?: Email HockeybuzzBruins
ARCHIVE FOOTAGE: The HockeybuzzBruins Youtube Channel
FOLLOW ME TO FREEDOM: JC's Tweets
BOOKWORM: The Details of JC's New England Hockey Book in the Works
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