When I start hearing these rumors and as a Boston Bruins fan it kind of infuriates me, what is it with the Bruins management that makes them want to trade away their best goal scoring talent? My next question would be; if you were unhappy with Savard attitude or play why did you sign him to a long term contract? I would also ask the same question about their goaltender former Vezina Trophy winner Tim Thomas. In today’s salary cap NHL, there is little room for error when you’re signing players to long term contracts.
What it means in general is that the Leafs can consider financial commitments other franchises can’t. Today, what it means is that Burke and his hockey department are seriously examining the possibility of acquiring Boston Bruins centre Marc Savard and his mammoth contract, something franchises like Nashville, Florida, Buffalo and Phoenix would never have to bother spending even a moment considering.
Savard’s a very good player, a point-per-game pivot albeit one with warts, like a history of concussions and a background as a fellow a coach might not always enjoy having on the roster.
His contract is — excuse the expression, commissioner — coyote ugly, a seven-year deal that comes with a salary of $7 million in each of the next two years, with an annual salary cap hit of $4 million (all figures U.S.). The B’s gave him that deal a year ago when they loved him and before he’d been cold-cocked by Matt Cooke of the Penguins, and before they’d used the second overall pick this past weekend to draft his successor at centre, Tyler Seguin.
Stuck with Tim Thomas, a very expensive goalie they might not be able to move, the Bruins may be prepared to surrender Savard in a so-called “soft” deal. In other words, basically for free. [thestar.com]
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