(Photo credit: Steve Babineau, Boston Bruins)

Marc Savard hasn’t played a game since January of 2011 when a hit from former Bruin Matt Hunwick (albeit clean) put an end to his career. A year before that, and a few months removed from signing a seven-year contract extension, Matt Cooke delivered a cheap shot with an elbow to Savard’s head; causing number 91 to suffer a Grade 2 concussion.

Since his career was over for good, the Bruins kept Savard’s cap hit over the last few seasons and put him on LTIR before the start of each season. They don’t have to worry about that anymore however after GM Don Sweeney traded Marc’s contract — along with Reilly Smith — to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Dorchester’s own Jimmy Hayes.

The trade gives the Bruins some much-needed cap relief going into the 2015-2016 season. Still, Sweeney and company know how important Savard was in helping resurrect the franchise into a perennial Stanley Cup contender during his time in Boston.

“He was a foundational player for us in turning things around. We were grateful for that,” Sweeney said about Savard, who signed with the Bruins in the summer of 2006. “It wasn’t fun to see him go through that.

During his five on-ice seasons, Savard captivated Bruins fans with his crafty playmaking and fancy passing. From 2006-07 until the 2008-09 season, he averaged over a point per game with the Black and Gold. His 200 assists during that span ranked third behind Hart Trophy winners Sidney Crosby (in 2007 and 2014) and Joe Thornton (2006).

Sweeney publicly admitted that he was looking to unload Savard’s contract to a team that was looking to get over the salary cap floor during this off-season. He found a partner in the Panthers and he deserves praise for what he got in return.

Still, the move was a little tough from an emotional standpoint. At the same time, Sweeney, who spoke with Savard about the trade, is happy that “Savvy” is in a better place in life.

“I spoke with Marc [on Wednesday], and you know [I] was happy for him because he sounded like he was in a much better place,” Sweeney said during Wednesday’s conference call with the media.

“He’s coming out of the other side and he’s in a much better place for himself. You know, he said his golf game is coming around and he’s not having as many headaches and setbacks in things. So from his life perspective, quality of life, things are much better. And [I] was happy to hear that for him. He was a huge part of what we wanted to do and get us in a position to turn things around. [Wednesday] was an opportunity for us to have some more [salary cap] flexibility. He was understanding of that and I appreciated that from him because you know, he is a great guy.”

Although the Bruins did win a Cup without Savard in the lineup, his presence was truly missed.

“We’ve missed him in the locker room, missed him on the ice and hopefully he can just continue to get better in his own life while he has a new family and we think the world of him,” Sweeney added. “And we thank him for his time as a player, and, obviously, wish him the best in his own life and to continue to recover to getting back into his absolute full health.”

From his game-winners against the Flyers and Habs in the Stanley Cup Playoffs to his dazzling skating and silky smooth stickhandling, Savard gave Bruins fans some memorable moments. His contributions will always be remembered in The Hub of Hockey.

Once A Bruin Always A Bruin

— marc savard (@MSavvy91) July 2, 2015

Thanks to all my fans for the nice tweets and tremendous support over the years. I’m gonna miss the greatest sporting city in the world!! — marc savard (@MSavvy91) July 2, 2015