There’s a lot of discussion right now regarding the Boston Bruins and how they’re going to handle their salary cap situation.  They might have more time on their hands than most seem to think as center Marc Savard remains several weeks away before he’s ready to return from concussion issues.

Sources close to Savard tell me he’s passed the necessary baseline test to resume playing but has yet to begin practicing with the team.  He is skating on his own but the same source tells me Savard is “Nowhere close to returning to live game action”.  Trading Savard is virtually impossible considering his health issues.

One player whose name has been routinely thrown out there is Blake Wheeler, a young forward who scored almost 40 goals in his first two years in the NHL.   Wheeler was awarded a 1 year deal worth $2.2 million following an arbitration hearing last summer. Word is the Bruins have told Wheeler’s agent they have no plans on moving him citing his age and upside. We all know there are no guarantees and a Wheeler trade is always possible.

It’s been reported that Boston has been heavily scouting the Phoenix Coyotes with their eyes on young Coyotes D-man Keith Yandle.

Phoenix originally drafted Wheeler 5th overall back in the 2004 NHL entry draft but never signed him.

More to come,
Andy Strickland
strickland.andy@gmail.com