Takin' a T/O with BT: Marc Savard and His All-Star Season

The Boston Bruins haven't won a championship since 1971/72; back in the Bobby Orr glory days.

Back then, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who didn't call Orr the Bruins' difference maker.

This season, Marc Savard is hoping to be the difference in a surprising Bruins' season as the team looks for its' twenty-second division championship.

If you ask him about it though, you get a fairly simple, reserved answer: "It'd be an honor to join the group of Boston Champions. All we're concerned with now though, is having a good second half."

The goal, like the player, is straightforward—much like Savard's goal of staying healthy for an entire NHL season once was.

Prior to the NHL lockout in 2004/05, the two-time leading scorer in the OHL had suffered a few setbacks: An ankle injury, two MCL injuries, three concussions, and 71 games lost due to injury.

While the NHL and it's Players' Association stalled during negotiations throwing the regular season into limbo (and eventual cancellation), Savard followed in the footsteps of his peers, signing overseas in the Swiss League.

"While it was very special to play overseas and gain experience, I was just trying to test my body to make sure it would hold up. Fortunately enough, it responded positively.

"I really worked hard on my legs; now they feel as strong as ever."

That hard work paid off in spades; Although Savard only spent 18 games combined in the Swiss and Tier-2 Swiss leagues that year, he nabbed 10 goals and 31 points.

He felt that he was ready for the NHL whenever it decided to reopen it's doors.

After his first-ever full 82 game season in the NHL with the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2005/06 season, Savard posted a few career-highs: He potted 28 goals, spread out 69 assists (culminating in 97 points), and earned a +7.

Despite an injury-free comeback though, many saw Savard's season as the standard contract year; a fairly common occurrence these days.

Despite that though, the suddenly healthy Savard was still a hot commodity.

"There were a couple of good offers out there, including the one to go back to Calgary. At the time I signed though, Zdeno (Chara) had just signed and the team (Boston) was heading in a good direction.

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