It appears as if there are some legs to the rumors that the Boston Bruins are looking to trade away their top-line center Marc Savard. Reports have surfaced that Savard, who signed a seven-year contract extension with the Bruins in December 2009, will waive his no-trade clause if it means being dealt to the Ottawa Senators or Toronto Maple Leafs – two teams that could have some legitimate interest in Savard’s services.

After drafting Tyler Seguin at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft this past weekend, the Bruins have too many bodies at center and need to clear a player in order to fit Seguin into the lineup. The 32-year-old Savard looks to be the odd man out. While some aspects of this move make sense, other aspects would make any fan scratch their head with wonder.

Savard’s seven-year contract extension carried with it a $4.2 million cap hit, which is quite reasonable for a center of his abilities. While somewhat injury-prone, Savard has managed 70 or more points in four of his last five seasons. In two of those seasons he registered 90 or more points. Last year, during a season in which Savard only played in 41 games, the gifted center still tallied 33 points – and that’s playing without a legitimate winger on his side.

For comparisons sake, Jason Spezza, who has registered similar numbers over the past several seasons, makes roughly $7 million a season. If Savard took a “hometown discount” to finish his career with the Bruins, it seems quite disrespectful that the Bruins would turn around and send Savard and his friendly cap hit elsewhere. It’s especially disrespectful when you consider that Bruins teammate Patrice Bergeron accounts for a slightly larger cap hit of $4.75 million per season and has been considerably less productive over the same time period. Granted, Bergeron has dealt with several significant injuries, but Savard is a proven commodity and a veteran player. Why not look to trade away Bergeron and keep Savard?

Well, the answer is in the numbers. Bergeron is younger at 24 years old and does have a huge offensive upside when he is healthy. Savard also makes for tasty trade bait with the numbers he is capable of producing offensively coupled with a low salary cap hit. The Bruins are currently $4.7 million under the cap. If they move Savard and his $4.2 million cap hit, as well as goaltender Tim Thomas and his $5 million cap hit (which they are definitely expected to do), then the Bruins all of a sudden have roughly $13 million to bring in a scoring winger or general scoring depth on the wings with money leftover to replace Dennis Wideman on defense. Heck, Boston management is probably licking their chops at the thought of being able to make a legitimate offer to unrestricted free agent Ilya Kovalchuk.

If a trade is to happen, the Maple Leafs would seem like a logical destination for Savard for several reasons. First, Savard has a history playing with Phil Kessel. They have made magic together before and I doubt that Maple Leafs GM Brian Bruke could resist the temptation to pair them together again. Burke has also stated several times over the past few weeks that he wants to add offense this summer. Tons and tons of offense. Well, a healthy Savard paired with Kessel could bring about 80-90 points out of Savard. Second, the Leafs are still looking to trade Kaberle and, as I’ve already stated, the Bruins will look to replace Wideman. Could a Kaberle-for-Savard deal be in the works? It would seem mutually beneficial to both teams.

With the free agent frenzy beginning in just a few short days, if there is a deal to be done expect it to happen soon. Both teams involved in the trade will want to hash out the details and get their ducks in a row before free agency begins so that they can figure out what pieces they still need to put into place this summer.

The days preceding the 2010 NHL Entry Draft have been some of the busiest in recent years in terms of trades and trade rumors. Now that the draft is only a few short hours away from beginning, trade rumors are heating up as general managers around the league look to get the most bang for their buck and do whatever it takes to make their team a contender. And it appears as if nobody is safe from the trading block. Here is a quick rundown of some of the last-minute rumors going around the net that could come into fruition before or during the draft tonight:

- It appears as if several teams are offering their first-round draft picks. The Florida Panthers (#3), Columbus Blue Jackets (#4), New York Islanders (#5), Atlanta Thrashers (#8), Florida Panthers (#15) and the Phoenix Coyotes (#22) are all said to be fielding offers for their first-round draft picks. If any of these teams do give up their selections, don’t expect them to come cheap. Several of these teams are looking to rebuild and they will want promising prospects or a package of later draft picks. Florida, Columbus or New York may even want a roster player plus prospects in exchange for their selection.

- Tomas Kaberle talks continue and will continue through the draft until he is dealt. The number of interested teams appears to be in the double digits, but the number of serious offers may only be around 5. While I would be very surprised of Kaberle wasn’t moved tonight, it’s being said that Toronto GM Brian Burke is asking for a lot in return and some teams may not be willing to give up what Burke is asking for. When push comes to shove, I expect Kaberle to be moved tonight.

- Dallas Stars forward Mike Ribeiro has recently come into play. Rumors state that inquiries have been made about Ribeiro’s availability, but Dallas isn’t actively pushing to unload Ribeiro, who carries with him a cap hit of $5 million per season.

- Stars center Brad Richards has also been linked to the New York Rangers as a possible center for Marion Gaborik. Richards carries a hefty price tag of $7.8 million, but the Rangers may be willing to pay.

- Senators forward Jason Spezza has been the center of trade talks for a few weeks now, but it appears as if talks have died down for Ottawa’s top center. With a hefty cap hit of $7 million per season, many teams may not be able to absorb that kind of salary. Spezza could be moved tonight, but my guess is that he is still a Senator by the end of the draft and that talks will heat up next week before free agency begins. Spezza’s no trade clause kicks in next Thursday at the beginning of the free agency period.

- Boston Bruins center Marc Savard has recently appeared in trade rumors. The general feeling is that Edmonton will take taylor Hall with the number one overall pick, leaving Boston to take Tyler Seguin at number two. This will leave the Bruins overloaded at center. They will most likely try to move a center in the near future. I highly doubt that Savard will be that center, however.Teams rumored to be interested in Savard are the New York Rangers and Calgary Flames.

- Reports state that the Florida Panthers have decided to take defenseman Erik Gudbranson with their number three overall pick (if that pick is not traded).

- Flyers center Jeff Carter continues to appear in trade rumors. Philadelphia needs a strong goaltender next season and Carter may be the sacrifice to get what they covet. Carter would certainly be a welcome addition to any team needing a young, goal-scoring center. Carter is set to earn $5 million this season and will be a restricted free agent at season’s end.

In short, it appears as if the rumor mill has either gone crazy with wishful thinking or  simply no player, no matter how gifted or well-liked, is safe from being traded. While I don’t think tonight’s draft will be as crazy as some rumor mongers are making it out to be, I certainly believe that some moves will be made and that at least one big player will get traded before the night is out. Draft starts in roughly two hours. Grab a pizza and a beer and enjoy.