Underrated Marc Savard Leading Bruins to Success
Bruins are First Place in the East thanks largely in part to Savard
Dec 5, 2008
A quarter through the 2008-09 season, Savard is averaging better than a point per game and there is no doubt that he is a major contributor to the Bruins' standings. His 32 points in 25 games have him tied for 4th in points, 3rd in assists, and 2nd in plus-minus.
Despite top-5 statistical rankings, Savard still is not widely recognized as a premier player in the NHL. The 31-year-old Ottawa native did receive accolades in the form of being a part of the 2007-2008 All-Star Game, and presently stands a solid chance to be in this year's event as well, but Savard is still relatively unnoticed.
Ironically, he amassed 97 and 96 points in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 respectively, but it wasn't until the following year, in which he totaled 78 points, that he was awarded with a spot on the All-Star squad.
Why Savard has Flown Under the Radar
It is likely that a great sum of the credit that should have been directed towards the centerman was given to top-flight goal scorer Ilya Kovalchuk, whom he played with in Atlanta for parts of four seasons. A household name for hockey fans, Kovalchuk has established himself as a dynamic, exciting, passionate player since stepping foot on NHL ice, and even before so.
As Savard entered his prime and began developing into the scoring threat he is today, Kovalchuk was receiving the spotlight. Mind you, it has been seen before; an elite player makes an average player look better than he really is. The league-wide assumption seemed to be that Kovalchuk and Savard fit that mold, with Savard of course being the beneficiary of Kovalchuk's rare talent.
While a good theory, it fails to explain how Savard, who signed with Boston in the summer of 2006, has averaged over a point per game in each of his last three seasons and is currently on pace for the most impressive numbers of his career. This all, indeed, is without Kovalchuk.
What Fans Are Missing
Outside of the stats sheet, Savard is a thrilling player to watch. One could make a strong comparison between Savard and the popular fellow Canadian, Mark Recchi. Best known for his passing skills and lethal wrist shot, Recchi boasts an impressive resume with seven All-Star appearances and two Stanley Cup Championships. The right-winger was also recognized for his amazing speed and creativity. Recchi made everyone around him better, and the world took notice.
Recchi and Savard are both 5'10" and just under 200lbs. Aside from physical build, Savard's game is incredibly similar to Recchi's. Savard's greatest talent is his passing ability and vision on the ice, he skates quickly and gracefully, he has the ability to undress his opponents, and he can flat-out bury the puck in the net. Savard has all of the ingredients to be a premier star in the NHL. The neglect of his talents is truly an enigma.
Take notice, fans of the NHL. At 31, Savard is in the prime of his career. History has shown that these are the best seasons of a player's career. By 33, although there are some exceptions, there seems to be a drop-off in production for most NHLers. A talent like Savard deserves recognition now, and quite frankly, he deserved it three years ago.
Savard was drafted in the 4th round, 91st overall in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Rangers. He spent two seasons playing for New York before being dealt to the Calgary Flames, from which he was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers after four seasons. Statistical data for Marc Savard is from NHL.com.
