Man, I Wanna Be the GM, Man

Yesterday the Boston Bruins signed standout playmaker Marc Savard to a seven-year contract extension which will keep the talented centerman in black and gold through the 2015 season.  The deal was pretty reasonable as far as first-line centers go ($4.2 mil per year), but still, what the fuck?  This wouldn't be such a big issue, but based on some other recent signings, B's management seems intent on relegating the team to the middle of the pack for the next decade.  Savard is a great player, but has a reputation for being soft and just so happens to be on the wrong side of 30.

At the end of the 2008-9 season, the Bruins reward Tim Thomas with a 4-year contract worth $20 million.  Not a bad move rewarding the reigning Vezina trophy winner with a nice payday... Unless that person happens to be 35 years old, inconsistent, and is currently watching while his heir apparent (the 22 year-old Tukka Rask) get the majority of the playing time.

At the beginning of the season, B's management signed the Neely-like Milan Lucic ("Cheech") to a 3-year extension, locking him up through the 2012 season, at least.  Currently, this is the only move upon which we have agreed as currently the Bruins have $9 million locked up in one replaceable goaltender and one decaying all-star.

This wouldn't be a problem if the Bruins were not in dire need of an additional goal scorer on the flank (eg. Kovalchuk) as well as if they did not have have a few current players that absolutely must be re-signed within the next 1-2 years.  Key ingredients such Zdeno Chara, Blake Wheeler, and Patrice Bergeron.  Players without which the Bruins will be poorer for not having, regardless of whoever is landed via free egency.

The ironic thing is that Phil Kessel was run out of town for not being tough enough (read: media-friendly enough) which has seriously impacted the Bruins offensive production (currently ranked 28th in goals scored). But just what makes Savard different than Kessel?  Both are seemingly cut from the same mold, except one just happens to be 10 years younger than the other.  And it's understandable, you need a first-line playmaker, so why not hang onto Savard?  But what good is a playmaker without any legit goal scorers.

So here's the recommendation: Now that we are stuck with Savvy for the foreseeable future, then why not package some of those draft picks that we have been stockpiling, throw in a solid but expendable contributer (eg. Michael Ryder/Marco Sturm) whose contract is up soon, who is chewing up valuable cap space and go after a high-value goal scorer at the end of his contract?  Someone like, I don't know, ILYA FUCKING KOVALCHUK?!?  The only issue will be signing him once the season is over thanks to all the money that has already been tied up with the most recent signings listed above, but I will leave that responsibility to the experts that got us into this situation in the first place.

Now get it done.