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Marc Savard makes ‘baby steps’ in concussion recovery

Image (1) Savard3-thumb-250x375-10340-thumb-250x375-16188.jpg for post 15592

Anyone expecting Marc Savard to suit up for the Boston Bruins sometime soon (even during the month of October, I would guess) probably shouldn’t hold their breath, but GM Peter Chiarelli said that the talented-but-concussion-plagued center is making “baby steps” in the recovery process.

Here’s Kevin Paul Dupont’s brief update on Savard’s tortoise-speed progress.

“It’s going to be a while for Savvy, and we’re taking it slow, but ... he’s exercising a little, getting his heart rate up again....so, yes, some good signs.”

Savard, near tears last week as he talked for the first time about lingering symptoms, including depression, linked to post-concussion syndrome, remains in Boston. According to Chiarelli, he has begun riding a stationary bike, often the first step in recovery from PCS, and has elevated his heart rate to the range of 110-120 (beats per minute).

Chiarelli said the plan is for Savard to try to sustain that light level of exercise for “eight or nine” days, while consulting along the way with the club’s medical staff. Provided he is able to tolerate the light workouts, he’ll try something a little more taxing, right around the time the Bruins return from their current European swing a week from Monday.

After seeing concussions tear apart the careers of Pat LaFontaine and Eric Lindros among many others (not to mention ruining the twilight years of many athletes’ lives), it’s heartening to see NHL teams take a measured approach with head injuries. Naturally, there’s always going to be risks involved in contact sports and it’s hard to fault clubs for being a little anxious to see a standout player like Savard play again, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

No doubt about it, I’m rooting to see Savard lace up his skates again this season, so we’ll see how it goes.