Editor's note: The daily contribution of ESPN The Magazine's E.J. Hradek -- E.J.'s Morning Skate -- debuts today with Flames center Marc Savard. Hradek's weekly column -- Hradek on the Hrink -- will appear Tuesday's throughout the season.

Someday soon the Calgary Flames are going to trade the somewhat skilled, but inconsistent, Marc Savard, who has asked to be dealt twice in the last year. (He recently rescinded his latest trade request.)

After disappearing during an opening night 3-0 home ice loss to Vancouver last Thursday, Savard was scratched for Saturday's tilt against Philadelphia. Coach Greg Gilbert, who hasn't been happy with the center's two-way play, told Savard he wanted to go with a "bigger" lineup against the Flyers, who eventually rallied for a 5-4 win over the Flames.

Savard was back in the Flames' lineup Monday night against the Canucks. (Disappointing forward Rob Niedermayer replaced Savard in the press box.) And, although, Savard wasn't credited with a point on Chuck Kobasew's game-winning goal, he certainly had a lot to do with it.

On the play, late in the third period of a 2-2 game, Kobasew came over the blue line one-on-one against Canucks defenseman Murray Baron. As Kobasew wiggled loose to fire a weak shot toward goalie Dan Cloutier, Savard raced toward the net. Savard's urgency attracted Canucks defenseman Ed Jovanovski. As both men battled to the crease, Cloutier kicked a rebound in their direction. The loose puck caromed off one of the two skaters and into the net. Although it wasn't clear on the replay, the goal was awarded to Kobasew, his first in the NHL.

As for Savard, he was left to feel good about helping his current team to its first win of the season -- and maybe attracting some attention from another.

E.J. Hradek writes hockey for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at ej.hradek@espnmag.com.