Caron back up in Boston where he belongs

In the wake of the recent press conference this afternoon, informing the masses that Bruins center Marc Savard will be shut down for the remainder of the 2010-11 NHL season — including the playoffs — and placing the 33-year-old on long-term injured reserve, Boston recalled forward Jordan Caron from AHL Providence.

The 20-year-old played in 20 games this season for the Bruins, registering seven points (three goals), plus-4, and 27 shots on goal. Caron, who stands 6-foot-2 and tips the scale at 202-pounds, uses his big frame to his advantage — crashing the net fearlessly, going to those dirty areas in front of and around the net. Mainly lined with Patrice Bergeron and Mark Recchi, Caron was an exceptional penalty-killer during his brief tenure with Boston — averaging 2:18 of shorthanded ice time per game.

The Sayabec, Quebec, native had  phenomenal rookie and training camps, in which he earned his spot and etched his name as a full-time member of the Bruins’ roster. He made his NHL debut with the Black and Gold in Prague, on Oct. 10, 2010, and notched his first NHL career goal against Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils in his second NHL game on Oct. 16, 2010.

The 2009 first round draft pick was assigned back to Providence on Dec. 6, 2010 after being a healthy scratch for two-straight games upon Savard’s return to the ice. Caron then appeared in 27 AHL games for Providence this season, with 6-11-17 totals.

With Savard’s salary now off the books, plenty of cap-space is now open for Caron to join P-Bruins teammate Zach Hamill and the rest of the Bruins at Ristuccia Arena tomorrow morning at 10:30 a.m. for practice.

Three speculations on my behalf: 1. I wouldn’t be terribly shocked to see a healthy scratch in Tyler Seguin’s near future.  2. Hamill drops to fourth-line forward; Caron lined with Blake Wheeler and Michael Ryder. 3. Especially with the trade deadline being three weeks away, this could mean the end of the road for No. 20 Daniel Paille here in Boston.