wright wrote:

---

Although it is highly subjective, Hockey's Future Prospects magazine recently ranked the Habs number 5 amongst all Nhl teams. Given the new salary cap era, and the lowering in age in terms of unrestricted free agency it is now more critical than ever to have a quality scouting organization to build a contending team. To that end Andre Savard the Habs assistant gm and head of the clubs scouting department has become a very valuable and influential individual in the Habs organization.      After years of terrible draft picks (remember Terry Ryan among others) Andre Savard has slowly but steadily rebuilt the team's farm system. Perezhogin,Plekanec,Komisarek and Chris Higgins were all drafted under his tenure as gm. Higgins a 14th pick overall in the 2002 draft appears at this juncture as a great pick. After the fourth pick overall throughout the rest of the first round no other player has had as big an impact on a team as Higgins. (Perhaps Toivonen selected by the Bruins as the 3oth pick, and Alex Steen by the Leafs would be comparable).      Savard has been able to keep the pipeline of good selections going as assistant gm. Kostitysn, Emelin, O'Bryne,Lantandresse and Chipchura were all selected on his advice. If there is a criticism of Savard iis he tends to draft players that are on the smallish side in terms of stature. Corey Locke is an example, although skilled, his size may inhibit his ability to make it in the new NHL. Boullion another Savard acquisition would be a tremendously more effective player if he were a few inches taller.     Huet and Markov may be the co-mvp's of the team this year, but Savard in his own way is every bit as valuable to the organization. He was instrumental in creating the building blocks for the Senators when he has head of scouting with that team, and it appears that he is starting to create a good foundation with the habs.

---

 Savard is sure making his mark on this team as he did with the Sens.

 He deserves a lot of credit.