411mania’s NHL Conference Call Coverage: Marc Savard
Posted by Neil Borenstein on 01.16.2008
The Bruins are having quite a turnaround season, and Marc Savard is one of the biggest reasons behind it. In the latest NHL Media Conference Call, Savard discusses finally being selected for an All Star team, his relationship with Bruins head coach Claude Julien and much more!
The Boston Bruins played a disappointing 2006-07 season, finishing last in the Northeast Division and 13th in the Eastern Conference standings. This year, the Bruins are exceeding expectations with quite a turnaround, currently placing third in the Northeast and eighth in the conference with 48 points through 44 games. One of the biggest reasons for the Bruins' turnaround this season is the play of 10-year center Marc Savard, who is in his second season with Boston.
Savard ranks seventh in the NHL in assists with 36, and he also leads the Bruins with 47 total points while only missing one game on the schedule. On Monday, he was selected to the Eastern Conference All Star roster. Despite posting over 90 points in each of the last two seasons, this will be Savard's first appearance in the All Star weekend activities, which run from Jan. 26-27 in Atlanta.
Savard took some time out to speak with the media on Wednesday in an NHL Media Conference Call. Here are some highlights from the call:
Marc Savard
Photo Credit: flickr.com
On His Play
Being considered a two-way player
Savard: I think scoring is part of why I get recognized. If I had two goals and four assists, it wouldn't happen. But you got to produce at both ends. But at the same time, our team's played well this year and I owe a lot to my teammates. We've been in playoff position pretty much the whole way.
Obviously Claude Julien and I, the coach is pretty defensive minded, so I mean that's the only way that we're going to win hockey games – is playing the system. So I think that's helped me a lot, too.
Cause for the sudden spark in his play with the Thrashers
Savard: Well, I just think honestly, Don Waddell, you know, I owe a lot to him. He gave me an opportunity to come to Atlanta, and when Bob Hartley took over, he basically called me in the first day and he told me the ball is going to be in my court. And when he coached Colorado, he knows what I'm capable of doing and he just wanted me to really go and work hard. And I owe a lot of credit to him. He's a great person, too, and I'm sure he'll be back in the league someday.
On All Star Weekend
Being overlooked for All Star selection, specifically last season
Savard: I think, yeah, last year I was upset a little bit. You know, I think I was around seventh or something like that in league scoring or wherever I was at the time, and I thought for sure, especially coming off the year before that I had also a good chance of me getting in. You know, I guess it takes time, and I'm glad I'm in this year and it's going to be a lot of fun.
Reasons for being overlooked in the past
Savard: I don't know, just you know a lot of guys have been playing in situations and obviously last year you know some guys are Stanley Cup winners the year before and I guess it just takes time to get recognized and, like I said, I'm just glad I'm there this year.
Thoughts on finally making an All Star team after not having made one since prior to playing in the NHL
Savard: I think I played in one in the American League in Syracuse. I never thought about the All Star Games and stuff like that. First off, I just wanted to make the NHL and be a regular. I think when I signed with Atlanta, I got a really good opportunity to play and it's great how I'm getting to play there for my first All Star Game. I'm really happy about that. I didn't really look at it, but I'm excited to be in one now.
Being overlooked for international play, as well
Savard: Yeah, I mean, I don't have the answers for that. I just, like I say, continue trying to work hard and get better and making the playoffs is a huge thing. So I think that is the next step on where I'd like to get, especially after getting this All Star nomination. So I think our team is set up in a good position that we're [a] young working group and we play well defensively. So hopefully that gets us to the playoffs, and we'll see what happens from there, and I'd like to get some international recognition for sure.
On The Bruins
Adjustment to head coach Claude Julien's defensive system
Savard: I think I was brought in right away at the end of the season, and I think being a leader on the team it's helped everybody else, too. And realizing this is the way we're going to win hockey games, this is what we've got to do to win hockey games, and it's been successful. So it's tough because an offensive guy your whole career, you want to be offense all the time. But you got to realize to win in hockey, you've got to adapt.
Past relationship with Julien, being from the Ottawa area
Savard: Claude used to have this NHL camp when I was about 15 or 16 before OHL camps opened up, so I used to go and get in shape, skating before I went away to an actual NHL camp. And then when I was a forward, I went to his camps he left to go coach and so he didn't run that camp anymore.
Helpfulness of having a past relationship with Julien
Savard: I think [it's helpful]. I think any time you get guys in the same area, you know, not favoritism but you know the guy, you've been around him before. Me and Claude get along fine and it's something that maybe has helped me a bit. But you know, like I said, I owe him a lot of credit for helping me on the other side of the puck.
The play of teammate Milan Lucic
Savard: Well, you know, since the first day Milan came to camp, I really enjoyed his enthusiasm, and I thought he was a great young player. I mentioned to Peter Chiarelli right [at] the start of the camp that I think this guy is ready to play. And, you know, I see he was like a man already. He's only 19, and he's just growing every day. I mean, he's been in probably seven fights and maybe lost one, so I mean he's done a great job, and he's going to get a lot of recognition for his offense because he doesn't get to play in a lot of offense situations right now. But the skill level is there, too, so he's going to continue to grow. You know, he's a great kid. We drive to the rink together every day and we have a great time, so he's going to be around for a lot of years to come.
Lucic comparisons to Cam Neely
Savard: Yeah, I mean there's comparisons there for sure, but it's pretty early to say. And I think that, you know, Milan is going to grow, like I said, and I see a lot of offensive potential there. Even when I get on some shifts with him, he makes a lot of little great plays and I think the sky is the limit for him, for sure.
Keep checking back for more NHL coverage right here at 411 Sports!
