In need of a veteran presence down the middle, the B’s have to come to terms with veteran Wyatt Smith on a one-year deal. With Trent Whitfield likely gone for the year, the 33-year-old center should prove to be a solid replacement down in Providence.

Smith has appeared in 211 NHL regular season games to date, during which he has posted 10-22-32 totals with the Coyotes, Predators, Islanders and the Avalanche. After playing in a career-high 61 games for the Wild in 2006-07, the Minnesota native last appeared in the NHL in 2007-08 with the Avs. Smith has also appeared in five playoff tilts.

The former University of Minnesota star has spent majority of his pro career at the AHL level. In 550 games in the American Hockey League, the 5-foot-11 pivot has 160-227-387 totals for eight different squads. Originally drafted in the ninth round by Phoenix in 1997, Smith helped lead the Milwaukee Admirals to a Calder Cup championship in 2003-04, picking up 12 points in 22 playoff tilts. Most recently, the center suited up for the Penguins’ AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre in 2009-10, scoring 13 times while adding 35 assists.

Following word from Larry Brooks of the NY Post that made no mention of Marc Savard’s contract being in any imminent danger, the center’s agent Larry Kelly appeared on Team 1200 in Ottawa this morning to firmly let the league know what kind of wrath to expect if they decide to take action against his client’s pact.

Savard's agent Larry Kelly believes keeping Gary Bettman around would be a "huge mistake". (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images for NHL)

Kelly, present as a guest on the radio show, admitted that he does not expect the NHL to revoke the deal, but indicated things could get really messy if the league decides to void contracts they have already approved. “You can imagine the lawsuits that would ensue,” Kelly said, alluding to a drawn-out legal battle that could turn into a major sideshow for the sport of hockey. Kelly, a longtime player-agent based out of Savard’s hometown in Ottawa, also took the opportunity to call out commissioner Gary Bettman during the interview.

““I’d really like to see a true-commissioner -style , someone who has the best interest of the game in mind rather than the situation they have now,” he said. “Bettman is (more like) the president of the league and he clearly is on the owners side on every issue. I really think it should be a commissioner. With a commissioner you have somebody who is totally independent and I think it would be a much less acrimonious situation.”

While the league looks to lash out at those who found a loophole in the CBA, Brooks did make mention of the Savard situation this afternoon, citing that the status of the pivot’s pact is unclear. Meanwhile, there are other media outlets insisting that no ultimatum has been given to the Players’ Association, currently being headed by former MLB big-wig Donald Fehr. Just when you thought it was over, the Savard saga continues to drag on.

After launching an investigation into a number of long-term contracts believed to be circumventing the rules of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the National Hockey League is reportedly on the verge of laying the hammer down on three guilty parties.

According to the New York Post, the New Jersey Devils, Chicago Blackhawks and Vancouver Canucks may be in a world of hurt if the Players’ Association fails to comply with the following rules:

1. That the cap hit on future multi-year contracts will not count any seasons that end with the player over 40 years of age. The cap hit would be calculated on the average of the salary up through age 40 only.
2. That the cap hit on future contracts longer than five years will be calculated under a formula granting additional weight to the five years with the highest salary.

As far as mandate No. 1 goes, the Bruins can breathe a huge sigh of relief knowing that center Marc Savard’s seven-year pact will expire just a month or two before he celebrates his 40th birthday. Whew! No mention of No. 91′s contract was made in the article, indicating that the B’s should be in the clear. According to the Post, the Players’ Association has until 5:00pm on Friday night to comply or the league will promptly move to reject Ilya Kovalchuk’s latest proposal (a 15-year deal), void netminder Roberto Luongo’s current deal that will keep him in Vancouver until 2022 and embark upon a formal investigation into the Blackhawks’ deal with Marian Hossa (which would keep the Slovak winger in Chicago until 2021).

The NHL has certainly backed up its bark with a whole lot of bite. Thankfully for both Savard and GM Peter Chiarelli, it appears as though the B’s are going to walk away unscathed.

Center Patrice Bergeron will the be first Bruin featured in a series of player-by-player previews by the Black and Gold Blog leading up to the start of the 2010-11 regular season. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)

While the dog days of summer are still upon us, the return of the Spoked-B to your hockey-deprived universe is closer than you think. The rookie games to be held between the Bruins and Islanders at the TD Garden on Sept. 15 and 16 are just 28 days away, with full training camp kicking off the following morning. During the four weeks leading up to those events, in addition to all related B’s news that comes about, the Black and Gold blog will be featuring one Bruin per day in a series of player-by-player previews for the 2010-11 campaign. In addition to that, there will also be a ten-part series reviewing how the B’s fared at each of the NHL Drafts from 2000-2009.

To check out the full schedule of season previews and draft reviews, click on the “Black and Gold Blog Calendar” link under “Pages” at the top right. The calendar will be regularly updated throughout the rest of the summer and beyond, making sure that you always know what’s on tap.

Without further ado, here is the first player preview for 2010-11.

PATRICE BERGERON | #37 | Center

HEIGHT: 6-2      WEIGHT: 194      SHOOTS: Right
BORN: July 24, 1985 – Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec
DRAFT: 2003 – 2nd Round (45th overall) by the Boston Bruins
CONTRACT STATUS: Signed through 2010-11 ($4.75 million cap hit)
2009-10 STATISTICS: 19 goals, 33 assists, 52 points in 73 games

LOOKING BACK ON 2009-10

Bruins’ fans were joyed to witness Bergeron’s offensive resurgence in 2009-10, after the beloved center and longest-tenured member of the team lost a combined 90 games to injuries in the previous two campaigns. With his concussion issues slowly becoming smaller and smaller in the rear-view mirror, the gifted pivot, renown for his two-way game, picked up 52 points in 73 games for Boston, finishing as the co-leader in that category alongside David Krejci. Bergeron’s comfort level and creativity with the puck steadily increased as the season wore on, giving himself and the organization hope that he can return to the form that saw him score 31 goals as a second-year NHL forward in 2005-06. Bergeron and linemate Mark Recchi, who displayed great chemistry down the stretch in 2008-09 after the future Hall of Fame inductee’s arrival from Tampa, proved to be the team’s most consistent forwards from opening night until the B’s crushing defeat in game seven against the Flyers.

Never out of place in any role, Bergeron’s versatility allowed Head Coach Claude Julien to utilize him in a variety of spots. Serving as both a center and a point-man on the power play, Bergeron was also a key cog on the penalty kill and Julien’s go-to guy as the team’s top center during Marc Savard’s three stints on injured reserve. There, stepping slightly away from his role as the squad’s top-flight, shutdown defender, he was able to fully display his oft-underrated offensive abilities. With the Bruins desperate for goals down the stretch and Savard sidelined after suffering a concussion, Bergeron picked up six goals and six assists over the final 12 regular season games to help the team qualify for the postseason. He kept rolling in the playoffs, contributing 11 points in 13 playoff tilts before the B’s eventually bowed out. Rewarded for his remarkable defensive play and faceoff abilities, Bergeron was selected to Team Canada for the 2010 Winter Olympics and captured a gold medal with the squad’s memorable overtime victory over the United States.

FIVE FACTS

1. Bergeron won 58.0% of the faceoffs he took in 2009-10, the fifth best percentage among qualifying players in the league.
2. With 45 blocked shots, Bergeron finished tops among all Bruin forwards in that category.
3. The center was called upon in the shootout 13 times last season, tying with Blake Wheeler for the team lead. Bergeron scored three times, including two game-deciding goals.
4. Only Dan Paille (1:59) averaged more short-handed TOI per game than Bergeron (1:56).
5. Bergeron’s first goal of the 2010-11 campaign will be the 100th of his NHL career. To date, he has scored 99 times in 376 games.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2010-11

Still just 25-years-old and heading into the prime of his career, Bergeron will hope to utilize his progress in 2009-10 as a stepping stone. Although he will likely be slotted in as the team’s third-line center, a disappointment for those hoping to see the young leader flourish offensively, a huge influx of talent seems bound for Bergeron’s right flank. Barring another center being traded, rookie Tyler Seguin projects to begin his career in Black and Gold on the wing. A likely destination would be alongside Bergeron. Hard to think of a better mentor, as Bergeron began his pro career in the same fashion. Should Mark Recchi switch over to the left side on Bergeron’s line, Seguin should be the recipient of an immeasurable wealth of knowledge this coming season. With Recchi’s veteran presence and magnificent work ethic and Bergeron’s masterful defensive game and unrivaled ability to win battles along the boards, the B’s No. 2 overall pick couldn’t ask for two better mentors as he grows accustomed to the NHL.

In addition to that, the trio should complement each other quite well offensively if united. Bergeron’s board work, Seguin’s stick-handling skills and Recchi’s presence in front of opposing netminders would make them an extremely balanced bunch. Outside of his likely role as the rookie’s reliable center, Bergeron will once again dawn a limitless number of hats for the 2010-11 edition of the Bruins. The alternate captain will look to repeat the success he and his fellow PK specialists had a year ago, as the B’s finished with the No. 3 ranked penalty kill in the league. Bergeron failed to tickle the twine on the power play last season, but if properly penciled in down-low on the man advantage, he could considerably hike his overall point total up. His dedication to back-checking, strong skating abilities and supremely high hockey IQ won’t be going anywhere, so you can bank on #37 being one of the smartest, most dependable players Julien will turn to from the opening faceoff until the final buzzer.

Behind the scenes, barring an announced deal prior to the season, Bergeron will be working out an extension with General Manager Peter Chiarelli to insure that he remains with the B’s beyond 2010-11. Entering the fifth and final year of his current contract, inking undoubtedly the most complete player on the team is a must for the Bruins. After a bounce-back campaign in 2009-10, this upcoming season could prove to be the one that truly gets Bergeron back on the fast-track to becoming one of the top centers in the game (should you not believe he holds that distinction already).

PREDICTION FOR 2010-11
Even the most educated of guesses can still look foolish at the end of the day, but I’m willing to bet we see Bergeron inch statistically closer to the back-to-back 70+ point campaigns he enjoyed in 2005-06 and 2006-07, especially if finally paired with a player as offensively dynamic as Seguin. Bergeron really turned a corner down the stretch and into the postseason, as confidence in his shooting abilities seemed to skyrocket. After scoring 13 times in his first 61 tilts, No. 37 potted 10 goals in the final 25 games of the year (including the playoffs). With that said, here’s my prognostication: 24 goals, 41 assists, 65 points.

NEXT PREVIEW (8/20): Matt Hunwick

After two years in the Bruins’ organization, Finnish winger Mikko Lehtonen has decided to return to Europe. After leading Providence with 23 goals and 50 points in 2009-10, the 23-year-old restricted free agent has elected to sign a one-year deal with Skelleftea of the Swedish Elite League. Originally selected in the third round of the 2005 draft by Boston, Lehtonen led the B’s AHL affiliate during his first pro season in North America with 28 goals in 2008-09.

After statistically regressing this past season, and with Jordan Caron, Joe Colborne and Yannick Riendeau all slated to take part in their first full professional campaigns in 2010-11, the 6-foot-3 winger likely would have seen his playing time reduced under Head Coach Rob Murray. Lehtonen made two appearances with the big club, suiting up for one game in both 2008-09 and 2009-10. In the two tilts combined, Lehtonen saw 23:22 of ice time and fired two shots on net. In addition to not jumping off the page with his offensive skills in a limited opportunity, Lehtonen also failed to show signs of any sense of physicality, a disappointment when considering both his size and reputation as a sound checker.

The move to Sweden, however, doesn’t guarantee that Lehtonen’s career in Black and Gold is definitively over. The Bruins will retain the forward’s NHL rights. After being passed over numerous times this year when the parent club was in need of reinforcements, it was clear that the B’s weren’t confident in his abilities outside of the offensive zone. It will be interesting to see if a low-scoring league like the SEL sparks the return of Lehtonen to North America with a far more well-rounded game.

After spending nearly the entirety of the offseason on the trading block, Marc Savard has finally put a long-awaited end to nearly two months of silence.

To say the last calendar year has been a trying one for the Bruins’ star center would be a wild understatement. Following three separate stints on injured reserve with a broken foot, partially torn knee ligament and a severe concussion, Savard returned to the B’s lineup in round two of the postseason only to take part in one of the most devastating collapses in the league’s long playoff history. With rumors abound throughout the summer months that he was being jettisoned from the Hub of Hockey, it’s hard to imagine the 33-year-old pivot didn’t feel slighted. Publicly shopped around just seven months removed from signing a long-term, cap friendly extension, Savard confirmed being distraught by the whole ordeal to the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch.

“They hurt me a little bit just because I went to Boston and I helped to build that team back up,” Savard said on Friday. “I’ve really tried to work hard with the young guys and being a core player. I was really focused on staying there for the rest of my career. To hear all this stuff this summer bothered me inside more than anything else.”

With the trade winds dying down and no updates coming from the league as they investigate his seven-year pact, all signs point to Savard returning in 2010-11 to center the squad’s first line. “Right now I’m a Bruin and that’s the way it is,” he said. “(But) it’s been tough.”

If reports were indeed true that the Ottawa native would only waive his no-trade clause to head to the Senators or Leafs, the chances of seeing a reunion between Savard and Phil Kessel in Toronto took a serious hit at midnight last night. Tomas Kaberle, the defenseman the Bruins believed they were getting in a botched Phil Kessel swap at the 2009 NHL Draft, had until that hour yesterday to be traded to any team the Maple Leafs chose. Kaberle’s no-trade clause has now kicked back in, significantly hampering GM Brian Burke’s chances of dealing the talented blueliner. The Czechoslovakia native, who has spent all 11 seasons of his career in Toronto, has one year remaining on his current contract. Kaberle will hit the Leafs’ cap to the tune of $4.25 million in 2010-11. The renown puck-moving defenseman registered 7-42-49 totals for Toronto in 2009-10, finishing with a minus-16 rating in 82 games.

After a decision to change venues this afternoon, the Boston Bruins have found a more fitting stage for the preseason debut of Tyler Seguin. Originally scheduled to have back-to-back “rookie games” against the New York Islanders in Shelton, Conn., the B’s announced on Friday that the tilts will be held at the TD Garden on Sept. 15 and 16. The midweek matchups will give fans the opportunity to see the highly-hyped No. 2 overall pick for just $5, with all of the proceeds going toward the Boston Bruins foundation. Bruins Full Season Ticket Holders and Premium Clients will receive free tickets to both games.

After those two games are in the books, full training camp will commence on Sept. 17. The B’s opened camp at the TD Garden last fall, but have yet to decide the locale for this go-round. Boston’s first full-squad tilt of the preseason will take place in Montreal on Sept. 22. The Garden will play host to two exhibition games after that. Dennis Seidenberg, Gregory Campbell and Nathan Horton will welcome their former team, the Florida Panthers, to the Hub of Hockey on Sept. 25. The Bruins will then host the second of back-to-back games with the Capitals on Sept. 29 before traveling to Ireland to conclude their preseason schedule.

For fans interested in attending the rookie games, tickets will be available at the Garden box office, www.bostonbruins.com and through Ticketmaster starting on Aug. 19.

The rejection of Ilya Kovalchuk's contract has forced the NHL to re-examine a handful of long-term deals. (Photo: Getty Images)

It all started out so innocent. After the lockout concluded and general managers scrambled to discover ways to retain their superstars, along came the advent of the long-term, cap friendly contract. Essentially spitting in the face of the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, teams found a new, creative way to lock up the cornerstones of their franchises. In what seemed like a game of one-upmanship, these pacts began to grow longer and longer, eventually reaching a crescendo with Ilya Kovalchuk’s 17-year, $102 million dollar deal with the New Jersey Devils. At long last, the league called shenanigans.

An arbitrator backed the NHL’s decision to reject the Russian winger’s preposterous contract, officially making him an unrestricted free agent once again. Unfortunately, for all of the other teams that had gotten away with deals of the same ilk, the league has decided to dust off a number of similar pacts for further examination. One of those contracts belongs to Marc Savard of the Boston Bruins. Savard, who agreed to a seven-year extension at the tail end of 2009, will make a total of just over $28 million dollars over the life of the contract (should he fulfill his part of the bargain and suit up for all seven seasons). At the time, the league chose not to take umbrage with the fact that the crafty pivot will only be paid $525k in each of the final two years or that he will turn 40 just weeks after its conclusion.

But now the spotlight has returned, as the league has put lawyers in contact with a few of its general managers to discuss these deals. The NHL appears ready to pick up their pitchforks, grab their torches and march toward an NHL city near you, hell bent on righting their apparent own wrongs.

Everyone knows full well that the Bruins were entirely cognizant that Savard’s deal pushed the oft-mentioned envelope. But, having watched numerous other organizations capitalize on this seemingly overlooked loophole, it was only a matter of time before deals of this nature became widespread. If the league dares dabble in overturning their own rulings, a mad frenzy of epic proportions will ensue and clobber the credibility of the NHL. No one had any qualms at the time these deals were approved and registered. Coming to the conclusion that the window of opportunity to nix them should be re-opened would be utterly disastrous. Teams have spent months, even arguably years, preparing their rosters and the subsequent total of their payroll for the upcoming season. Throwing a wrench in those plans in mid-August, and potentially starting an all-out war if one player’s contract is voided while another player’s isn’t would be as misguided a decision as any the league has ever come up with.

While the Bruins wait on ruling No. 2 on Savard’s contract, one can’t help but return to the man who finally forced the league to take a stand. Kovalchuk’s deal pushed the limits too far and, at this very moment, he now finds himself out over $100 million dollars in potential earnings. But, if the Russian winger’s obscene contract has really lit a fire under the league’s brass and kick-started a witch hunt, he may wind up costing everyone else much, much more.

To keep up to speed with everything posted here on the Black and Gold Blog, as well as the rest of the Hockey Journal’s in-depth coverage, feel free to check out our page on Facebook. Just search for “New England Hockey Journal” and click “Like”. Easy, isn’t it?

Bruins' forward Shawn Thornton, seen here in a bout back in March against former teammate Wayne Primeau, is set to play host for the "Putts and Punches for Parkinson's" Golf Tournament on Monday. (Photo: Getty Images)

If you’ve ever envisioned yourself hitting the links with a few of your favorite local hockey heroes, this weekend would be as good a time as ever to drag out those old, wooden golf clubs from the attic to wipe away decades of dust. In the event that your great grandfather wasn’t Ben Hogan, and you’ve got up-to-date irons and a few friends willing to pony up some cash for a great cause, you’d likely be in for a fun-filled afternoon at the Ferncroft Country Club on Monday afternoon.

Shawn Thornton and the Boston Bruins Foundation will host the first annual “Putts and Punches for Parkinson’s” golf tournament there on Monday, August 9. The course, located north of Boston in Middleton, will enable fans to join Thornton, Milan Lucic and netminder Tuukka Rask for 18 holes of play. Dinner and cocktails will follow, and fans in attendance will have the chance to nab some rare sports memorabilia via raffle and silent auction. The cost to partake in the event is $1600 for a foursome. Individuals or companies may also sponsor a hole for $2000.

All of the proceeds from the golf tournament will benefit the Boston Bruins Foundation and the American Parkinson Disease Association. The B’s are also scheduled to host the 7th Annual Boston Bruins Golf Tournament on Sept. 13 in Bolton, Mass.

The Ferncroft Country Club is located at 10 Village Road, Middleton, MA 01949. For those interested in additional info on the Boston Bruins Foundation and the American Parkinson Disease Association continue reading.

About the Boston Bruins Foundation:
The Boston Bruins Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation whose mission is to assist charitable organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to enhancing the quality of life for children throughout New England. Since its inception in July 2003 by the Jacobs Family, it has raised more than $5 million dollars through a series of fundraising events. The Foundation, which provides grants to organizations that meet the standards of its mission, concentrates on athletics, academics, health, and community outreach programs that assist in helping enrich the lives of children throughout New England.

About the American Parkinson Disease Association:
The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is the country’s largest grassroots organization serving the Parkinson’s community. It is a 501 © (3) not-for-profit organization and receives no governmental or public funding. Each year APDA contributes more than $2.5 million for research and another $2 million for direct patient and caregiver support through the generous support of individual and corporate donations. For more information visit www.apdaparkinson.org

Doug Jarvis (right), seen here skating alongside Guy Lafleur during a pregame ceremony in 2009, will bring plenty of experience into his new role as an assistant coach for the B’s. (Photo: Getty Images)

Replacing the wealth of coaching experience and defensive acumen Craig Ramsay packed up and carried with him to Atlanta wasn’t expected to be an easy task. With the selection of Doug Jarvis as their new assistant coach, however, the Boston Bruins should be in good hands in 2010-11 and beyond. With 18 years under his belt as an assistant coach in the National Hockey League, which was preceded by a rather impressive 13-year run as a player, Jarvis has been in and around the league for more than three decades. B’s Head Coach Claude Julien, who Jarvis served under in Montreal during the 2005-06 campaign, was elated to welcome him aboard.

“”I want to tell you how thrilled we are to have Doug Jarvis join our staff,” the B’s bench boss said during a conference call. “I think when the job became available, the one thing we wanted to do was replace some of the experience we lost with Craig Ramsay. Having known Doug for a while, having worked with him briefly in Montreal, his experience in coaching and playing was very valuable in our decision making.”

In addition to an unprecedented 14-year run behind the Stars’ bench from 1988 to 2002, Jarvis also served as an assistant in Montreal from 2005 to 2009 after spending two seasons as the Head Coach of the Hamilton Bulldogs, their AHL affiliate. During his playing days as a pivot with the Habs, Jarvis was awarded the Selke Trophy as the league’s best defensive forward for his work in the 1983-84 season. In addition to his defensive excellence, the 55-year-old Ontario native was a member of four Stanley Cup winning squads. In a devastatingly physical game like hockey, rarely missing a game is a true compliment to a player’s toughness and dedication to his team. Jarvis never missed a single contest during his career, suiting up for an NHL-record 964 consecutive games.

After a year away from hockey, let go by Montreal after the 2008-09 season, the newest employee of the Black and Gold is anxious to get back to work.

“”I missed being close to the game,” Jarvis said. “Having been in it for a number of years as a player and coach, I think I missed the coaching aspect. I missed the teaching that goes with coaching, helping and sharing with players my experience and assisting in their development. I was quite excited when this opportunity came along.”

While Ramsay’s talents and tutelage will be missed, as his guidance was key in helping the Bruins win the Jennings Trophy in 2008-09 before finishing second overall in goals against average in 2009-10, Julien said he doesn’t foresee any bumps in the road ahead as the team gets acclimated with the newest member of his staff.

“We had good chemistry and I know for a fact that Doug, coming into our situation, with the coaching staff being there since I’ve been here, he’s going to blend in perfectly.” Julien said. “He’s got that personality and I think it will be a smooth transition.”

News and Notes

In other news, former Bruin Glen Metropolit recently signed a two-year pact with Ev Zug over in Switzerland. The 36-year-old pivot, renown for his hard-working ways, scored a career-best 16 goals in 2009-10 for Montreal. His consistent effort made him a fan favorite during his lone campaign in Boston during the 2007-08 season, during which the veteran center registered a career-high of 33 points.

Shaone Morrisonn, the centerpiece in the Bruins’ deal to acquire Sergei Gonchar from the Capitals back in 2004, has signed a two-year deal with the Buffalo Sabres. The 27-year-old defenseman finished second on the Caps in hits with 163 last season, trailing only Alex Ovechkin (185). The B’s former first-round selection will make $2.075 million in each year of the deal.