This Insert reminds something many Bruins fans (Not I) have forgotten. Savard helped bring the Bruins back from the dead.
How soon we forget how bad the Bruins were from 99-2005. Bourque had to be traded to the Avs in order to win a cup. Ray would bring the cup back to Boston with a city hall ceremony as a member of the Avalanche. I still have mix feelings about that til this day.
Jumbo Joe was traded to San Jose for a bag of pucks.
Jason Allison was our Captain 🤕 Need I say more?
Then that all changed in July of 2006 when the Bruins introduced big Zdeno Chara, and Marc Savard.
Savard delivered right away. He had 94 points his first season with 74 assists for 3rd best in the league in apples. His 2nd Season with the Bruins was great too as he was named an All-Star.
Everyone loves the flashy goal scorer but I’ve always been a pass first guy, and watching Savard make some filthy assists was a thing of beauty.
By 2008/09 the Bruins were back on top of the East with Savard leading the way. The Bruins were back! The town was buzzing again, Bruins were in the playoffs beating Montreal in OTs. Me and my buddies almost being hit by cars as we bombarded the players only parking lot.It was fun times again.
Then 2010/11 came and enter Matt Cooke. One of the dirtiest players I’ve ever watched play hockey. And I’m a Marchand Fan!
Cooke would basically ruin Savards career with his blind side hit to the head, leaving Savard with a massive concussion, and a later post concussion syndrome. Savard would go on to miss the rest of the season.
The following year the 2011 Bruins won the cup. Luckily the Bruins petitioned the league and had Savards name written on it, even though he didn’t play 1 second. But unfortunately Marc would never play again professionally.
The other night I heard P.K Subban say it’s impressive how the Bruins have been able to stay so competitive throughout the decades. They went on to credit the culture the organization has now.
Yes Chara. Bergeron, Shawn Thornton,Campbell etc helped re-create that winning culture, but many forget who helped set the foundation, “Face of the Franchise “ Marc Savard.
